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CHARGE    THROUGH    AN    ABATTIS. 


THE  BOYS  OF  '6i: 


OR, 


Four  Years  of  Fighting 

PERSONAL  OBSERVATION  WITH  THE 
ARMY  AND  NAVY, 


FROM  THE  FIRST  BATTLE  OF  BULL  RUN   TO  THE 
PALL-  ^F^  RlCI^MOi^^Dl    " 


CHARLES    CARLETON    COFFIN, 

AUTHOR  OF   "THE   BOYS   OF   '76,'       "THE   STORY   OF    LIBERTY,"     "WINNING    HIS 

WAV."    "  MY    DAYS    AND   NIGHTS   ON    THE    BATTLEFIELD,"    "  FOLLOWING 

THE    FLAG,"     "OUR   NEW   WAY   ROUND  THE  WORLD,"   ETC. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED    BY    ESTES    AND    LAURIAT, 

301-305  Washington  Street. 

1886. 


'.  •  :;;^t^'s;ANb*LA{ji^\T. 


£47D 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1866,  by 

CHARLES  CARLETON  COFFIN, 

in  the  Qeik's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


1/^ 


■t/O-'^ 


O 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


This  Yolumo,  though  historic,  is  not  a  history  of  tho  Rebel- 
lion, but  a  record  of  personal  observations  and  experiences 
during  tho  war,  with  an  occasional  look  at  affairs  in  general  to 
give  clearness  to  the  narrative.  The  time  has  not  arrived  for 
tho  writing  of  an  impartial  history  of  the  conflict  between 
Slavery  and  Freedom  in  the  United  States.  Reports  of  mili- 
tary operations  are  incomplete ;  documents  in  the  archives  at 
Washington  are  inaccessible ;  much  material  remains  to  bo 
gathered  before  the  patient  historian  can  sift  the  wheat  from 
the  chaff.  More  than  this,  the  war  of  ideas  is  not  yet  ended. 
Defeated  Rebels  in  some  parts  of  the  South  are  bent  on  exter- 
minating the  African  race.  Few  of  those  lately  in  rebellion 
plead  guilty  of  having  committed  a  crime ;  taking  up  arms 
against  the  government  they  consider  to  have  been  a  blunder 
only.  Wo  are,  therefore,  too  near  the  great  events  to  render 
proper  judgment  upon  questions  in  which  our  principles  and 
Bympathies  have  been  enlisted. 

The  cliapter  concerning  the  Confederate  Cotton  Loan  may 
seem  to  be  out  of  place  in  a  volume  of  which  so  large  a  portion 
is  given  to  narrative,  but  I  trust  tliat  it  will  bo  acceptable  to 
the  general  reader,  inasmuch  as  it  reveals  the  efforts  of  tlio 
Rebels  to  array  all  Europe  against  the  United  States  in  tlio 
late  struggle.  The  correspondence  in  my  possession  was  picked 
up  in  the  streets  of  Richmond,  and  will  be  of  value  to  tho  fu- 
ture historian.  The  cliapter  in  question  is  but  an  outline  of 
tho  operations  of  the  Confederates  abroad. 

iv!lil773 


if  PREFATORY    NOTE. 

In  loDking  over  tho  sheets  as  they  came  from  the  press,  sov 
eral  errors  relative  to  the  organization  and  formation  of  troops 
in  battle  have  been  detected,  which,  however,  will  appear  in 
but  a  few  copies.  Undoubtedly  there  are  otlicrs,  and  tho 
writer  will  esteem  it  a  favor  to  be  put  right  wherever  he  is  in 
the  wrong.  Few  ofTicial  reports  of  regimental  and  brigade 
officers  have  been  published,  while  the  reports  of  division  and 
corps  commanders  are  only  general  in  their  statements.  The 
true  history  of  battles  cannot  be  given  till  tho  history  of  regi- 
ments is  written. 

My  stand-point  as  an  observer  is  that  of  one  whose  instincts 
from  early  childliood  have  been  on  tho  side  of  Freedom.  I 
have  ever  believed  that  Civil  Liberty  is  the  birthright  of  all 
men,  and  from  the  firing  upon  Sumter  to  the  close  of  tho 
contest  had  full  faith  that  the  people,  under  God,  would  sub- 
duo  the  Rebellion,  and  give  freedom  to  the  slave. 

The  four  years  have  been  worth  a  century  of  ordinary  life ; 
for  in  the  mighty  contest  Right  has  triumphed  over  Wrong, 
and  tho  human  race,  with  a  clearer  perception  of  Truth  and 
Justice  as  the  sure  foundation  of  government,  is  moving  on 
to  a  higher  civilization. 

c.  c.  c. 


CONTENTS. 


INTRODUCTORY    CHAPTER. 

BEGINNING    OF    THE    CONFLICT. 

Ideas  and  Principles.  —  Battles  witnessed.  —  The  Leaders.  —  State  of  Af- 
fairs.—  Baltimore.  —  Diilness  in  the  Streets. — Baltimore  Women. — 
Haw  Troops.  —  Visit  to  Fort  Mellcnry. — Washington.  —  Material  of 
the  Army.  —  Generals  in   Command.  —  General  Scott.  —  Ilis  Position. 

—  Newspaper    Reports.  —  Troops   organized.  —  The    Gathering  of  ihe 
Rebels  

CHAPTER    1. 

AROUND    WASHINGTON. 

Alexandria.  —  The  Massachusetts  Fifth.  —  A  Song  for  Bunker  Hill.  —  The 
Review.  —  The  Distant  Gun.  —  The  Alfair  at  Vienna.  —  A  Dinner  in 
the  Field.  —  Vallandighain  and  the  Ohio  Boys.  —  Patriotism  of  the 
Soldiers.  —  The  Rogues'  March.  —  Mutiny  of  the  Garibaldi  Guard.  — 
An  Adventure.  —  Broken  English.  —  Unpleasant  Position.  —  General 
Mansfield's  Wrath.  —  The  Lnger-Bcer  Business.  —  A  Faded  Aristocracy. 

—  Living  on  a  Name.  —  The  Sirens  of  Virginia. -^  A   South   Carolina 
Chattel.  —  His  Search  for  Chickens.  —  IIow  he  found  Freedom 

CHAPTER    n. 
BULL    KUN. 

1  he  March.  —  The  Second  Maine.  —  The  Pageant.  —  The  Bivouac.  —  The 
ncehives,  —  Beauregard's  Proclamation.  —  McDowell's  Order.  —  The 
^■"ontrast.  —  Virginia  Unionism,  —  The  First  Shot.  —  The  Artillery.  — 
Kctreat  of  the  Ivebels.  —  The  Negro's  Story.  —  Centreville.  —  Snuff  Dip- 
|,crs.  —  AlTairs  at  Blackburn's  Ford.  —  The  IMorning.  — Progress  of  the 
Battle.  —  The  Pebel  Prisoner.  —  The  Turning  of  the  Tide. — At  the 
Spring.  —  The  Panic.  —  The  Teamsters.  —  The  Rebels  on  the  Point  of 


Tl  CONTENTS. 

Kelrcating Kichmond  Dispatch.  —  Wonderful  Stories  of  the  Rebels.  — 

Chan{;o  of  Seniiment.  —  General  Butler.  —  Union  Men  of  Virginia,— 
Sitierncss  of  the  Kebcls Seductive  Influences  of  Slavery    ,         .         .      17 


CHAPTER   III. 

THE    FALL    OF    1861. 

'Vkion  of  AlTairs.  —  Disaster  at  B.all's  BIufT.  —  The  News  in  Washington. 

—  How  rrcsidcnt  Lincoln  received  it.  —  His  tcndLMness  of  Heiirt.  —  Mr. 
Lincoln  in  his  Sprin;;ficld  Homo.  —  His  Temperance  I'rinciplcs.  — 
Poolsville.  —  Colonel  Baker's  Bo<ly.  —  Shivery  in  Western  Maryland. — 
Visit  to  Eastern  Maryland.  —  The  "White  Horse."  —  Character  of  tho 
Country.  —  Our  Host  at  Pamunkcy His  Family.  —  Visit  to  Annapo- 
lis.—  Aristocratic  Pride.  —  Secession  in  Washington. — The  Spirit  of 
Slavery  in  the  Army.  —  Tlie  Hutchinson  Family  and  General  McCkllan. 

—  Whitticr's  "  Fine  fcstc  Burg  ist  unscr  Gott." — Major  Gould  and  hia 
Scout.  —  A  Kebel  Minister.  —  Washington  Jail  and  its  lumates.  —  Cltse 

of  the  Year         .         .  .  80 

CHAPTER    IV. 

AFFAIRS    IN    THE    WEST. 

Lonisville. — Position  of  Iventurky.  —  The  Opinions  of  a  Tvoyal  Tennca 
gccan.  —  General  Buell  and  his  Policy. —  Events  in  Missouri.  —  General 
Halleck.  —  Onier  No.  3.  —  General  Scliofield  atid  the  Guerillas.  — Negro 

Testimony.  —  Fremont's   Army. — Visit   to    Kolla.  —  General  Sigel 

]ia<l  cal  Sentiments  of  the  Army.  —  Cairo.  —  Union  Generals.  —  Intro- 
duction to  General  Grant.  —  Commodore  Footc. — The  Miasissij>pi  Flo- 
tilla—  Captain  Porter  and  the  Essex.  —  His  Challenge  to  Captain 
Monrgomery.  —  Major-Gencral  Bishop  I'olk.  —  Beconnoissanco  towards 
Col.k.nbus.  —  A  Keutucky  Farm-house.  —  Keturn  to  Cairo     .         .  47 

CHAPTER  V. 

CENTRAL    KENTUCKY. 

Battle  of  ^lill  Springs.  —  A  genuine  Kcntuckian.  —  Discussion  of  the  Negro 
Question. —  Kentucky  Farmers.  —  Lexington.  —  Scenes  at  tho  Phei.ix 
Xl^tel.  —  Secession  Ladies.  — Anthony  TroUope.  —  Tomb  of  Henry  Cl.-iy. 

—  Clay's  Oj)inion  of  AlK>litionisLs.  —  How  a  Frcsbyterian  Minister  would 
conduct  the  War.  —  Bucll's  Bight  Wing.  —  Trip  down  the  Ohio.  —  Pas- 
8rn;:ers  on  Btmrd  tho  Grey  Eagle.  —  The  People  of  Owensborough.  — 
Up  Green  Biver.  —  Kentucky  Unionists.  —  Visit  to  Calhoun.  —  A  "first- 
class  "  Hotel.  —  Scenes  on  the  Steamer  .  .  .  .59 


CONTENTS.  m 

CHAPTER    VI. 

THE    OPENING    OF    THE    CAilPAIGN    IN   TENNESSEE. 

Capture  of  Fort  Ilcnry.  —  Commodore  Foote's  Account  of  the  Fight His 

Care  for  the  Wounded.  —  His  Preaching  on  Sunday.  —  Affairs  in  Missia- 
BJppi.  —  Capture  of  Fort  Donelson.  —  Movement  of  the  Troops.  — Tho 
Surrender.  —  Tlie  Appearance  of  the  Kcbcls.  —  The  Town  of  Dover.  — 
Scenes  in  the  Kebel  Lines.  —  The  formal  Surrender  of  the  Fort.  —  Ap- 
pearance of  Buclcncr  and  Grant. — Kcl)cl  Ofiicers  on  the  Kampage. — 

Commodore  Foote's  Intentions.  —  Ills  Plans   frustrated   by  Ilalleck 

Nullification  of  Order  No.  3.  —  Occupation  of  Columbus. —  The  Southern 

Moso.  —  Bombardment  of  Island  No.  10. —  Colonel  Bisscll's  Canal 

Passage  of  Transports  to  New  ^fadrid.  —  Running  past  the  Batteries 

General  Pope's  Operations.  —  Capture  of  llebcls.  —  Surrender  of  Island 
No.  10 .     7« 

CIIAPTEK    VII. 
PITTSBURG    LANDING,    FORT    PILLOW,    AND    MEMPHIS. 

The  Opposing  Forces.  —  The  Battlc-Ficld.  —  The  Poor  Whites  of  the  Sooth. 

—  General  Sbcrman Beauregard's  Despatch.  —  lietrcai  of  the  Rebels. 

—  Uulleck's  Advance  upon  Corinih.  —  The  Mississi|ipi  Fleet.  — Admiral 
X)avi3.  —  Ca])tain  I^Iaynadicr.  —  A  Trap  for  the  Ivcbcls.  —  I^Iovemcnt  of 
the  liams.  —  Fire  of  the  liebel  Batteries.  —  Kvacuatioti  of  Fort  Pillow.  — 
Gunboat  Fight   at  Memphis.  —  Surrender  of  the  City.  —  Commodore 
Ellct.         ....  .         .     93 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

INVASION    OF    MARYLAND. 

Battle  of  Manassas. —  Colonel  Broadhcad.  —  Confidence  of  the  Pcbcls.— 
Uj)rising  in  Pennsylvania.  —  Surrender  of  Harper's  Ferry.  —  ICsoapc  of 
the  Union  Cavalry.  —  Negro  Teamsters.  —  Kxciiemcnt  of  the  Citi/.ens. — 
Ilagcrstown. — Antictam  — Visit  to  tho  Right  Wing.  —  Pofl'cnbcrg's 
House.  —  Sumner's  Movement.  —  Tho  Corn-Field. — Burnside's  Attack. 
—The  Fight  at  the  Bridge 110 

CHAPTER   IX. 

INVASION    OF    KENTUCKY 

The  Opposing  Forces.  —  Bragg's  Advance.  —  Capture  of  Frankfort.  —  The 
Kcl>cls  in  Lexington Inauguration  of  Governor  Harris.  —  Bragg's  Re- 
treat fr)m  Frankfort Battle  of  Perry villc.  —  President's  Pi-oclamation. 


VUl  CONTENTS. 

—  The  Kentucky  Policy.  —  General  Gillmoro's  Order  No.  5 Twenty- 
Second  Wisconsin  and  Colonel  Ulley Jud<;o  Kobcrtson  and  his  Boy 

Jo.  —  The  Kentucky  Policy  reversed.  —  An  Evening  in  Louisville         .     IM 

CHAPTER    X. 
FROM  HARPER'S  FERRY  TO  FREDERICKSBURG. 

Soldiers'  Pets.  —  Removal  of  IklcClellan.  —  Bumside's  Plans.  —  Army  Cor- 
respondence  Gold  Speculators.  — Expectations  of  the  People  .     137 

CHAPTER    XI. 
BATTLE   OF  FREDERICKSBURG. 

The  Signal  Guns.  —  Laying  the  Pontoons.  —  Bombardment  of  the  City.  - 
Hall's  Brigade.  —  Rebel  Sharpshooters.  —  Crossing  the  Uiver.  —  Seventh 
Michigan.  —  Yankees  in  Freiiericksburg.  —  Night  Scene.  —  The  Drum- 
mer-Boy. —  Rev.  Arthur  B.  Fuller.  —  Ilis  F'uneral  Obsequies.  —  Lee's 
Army.  —  Positions  of  the  Troops.  —  Bumside's  Orders  to  FVankliu.  — 
The  Morning.  —  Movement  of  the  Army.  —  Attack  on  the  Left  — 
Franklin's  Despatches.  —  Meade's  Attack. — Jackson's  Line  broken. — 
Franklin's  Account.  —  Wounded  Soldiers.  —  Attack  on  the  Right. — 
Eleventh   New  Hampshire.  —  Sturgis's  Division.  —  The  Last  Attack. 

—  Eecrossing  the  River      .  14 

CHAPTER    XII. 

THE  ^^TNTER  AT   FAUIOUTH. 

Employment  of  the  Men American  Tract  Society.  —  General  Howard 

and  the  Secessionists.  —  Sanitary  and  Christian  Commissions.  —  Re- 
ligion in  the  Army.  —  Chapels   .         .  .         .  .17* 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

CHANCELLORSVILLE. 

Qeneial  Hooker  in  Command Reorganization  of  the  Army Hooker's 

Plan.  —  Movement  of  the  Troops.  —  First  and  Sixth  Corps.  —  Lee 
puzzled,  —  Hooker  in  l*osition.  —  Lee's  Movement.  — Jackson's  March. 

—  Howard's  Position.  —  Sickle^'s  Advance.  — Jackson's  Attack The 

Eleventh  Coq)3. —  Sickles's  Return.  — Death  of  Jackson.  —  The  Battle 
of  Sunday   —  Best's  Artillery.  —  Stewart's  Attack.  —  The  Second  Corps. 

—  Hooker's  last  Position.  —  Second  Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  —  Sedg- 
wick's Attack.  —  Maryee's  Hill.  — Barksdale's  Retreat.  — Battle  of  Sa- 
lem Church.. —  Lost  Opportunity        .         .  ....     179 


CONTENTS.  U 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

CAVALRY   OPERATIONS. 

Btonemnn's  Preparations.  —  Crossing  the  Rapidan.  —  Raid  through  Vir- 
ginia. —  Kil  Patrick's  Audacity.  —  Shelling  Richmond.  —  Ills  Escape.  — 
Stoaeman's  Return  219 

CHAPTER    XV. 

THE  ATLANTIC  COAST. 

Port  Royal.  —  Sunday  Services.  —  Rev.  Mr.  Murchison.  —  Visit  to  the 
Plantations.  —  Sancho's  Address.  —  Negro  Music.  —  Mitchelville.  — 
Sojourner  Truth.  —  Enlistment  of  Negro  Troops.  —  Colonel  lligginson. 

—  Antij)atliy  of  White  Soldiers.  —  Eirst  South  Carolina  Regiment 

Smith's  Plantation 224 

CHAPTER    XVI. 
THE  IRON-CLADS  IN  ACTION. 

Destruction  of  the  Nashville.  —  Captain  Worden.  —  Attack  on  Fort  McAl- 
lister. —  First  Bombardment  of  Sumter.  —  Visit  to  the  Fleet.  —  Captain 
Rodgers.  —  Damage  to  the  Fort  24* 

CHAPTER  XVH. 

THE  INVASION  OF   PENNSYLVANIA 

General  Lee's  Movements.  —  ITookcr  on  the  Watch.  —  Bedlam  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. —  Ilarrisburg.  —  Bultimorc.  —  Colored  Population.  —  Resignation 
of  General  Hooker.  —  General  Meade.  —  Feelings  of  the  Soldiers. — 
Advance  to  Gettysburg.  —  Organization  of  tljc  Array.  —  Patriotism  of 

the   People.  —  Bread  for  the  Soldiers Ride  to  Gettysburg.  —  Geo- 

graj)hical  Features  of  the  Place  ...  .... 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  BATTLE   OF   GETTYSBURG. 

General  Reynolds's  Position.  —  Beginning  of  the  Fight.  —  General  How- 
ard's Account.  —  Weidreick's  Battery.  —  General  Slocura  at  Two  Tar- 
ems.  —  Howard's  Messages.  —  General  Hancock's  Arrival.  —  Colore 
Bearers  of  the  Nineteenth  Indiana.  —  Arrival  of   the  Third  Corps.  — 


85a 


Z  COXTENIS 

Second  Dat.  —  General  Meade  on  the  Field. — The  Cemetery.  —  Major 
Howard.  —  Kido  nlon;^  the  Lines. —  Staiuiard's  Brigade. — Meade's 
Head-Quarters.  —  Position  of  the  Second  Corps.  —  The  Third  Corps. 

—  Sickles's  Tosiiion  at  Noon.  —  Lee's  Intentions.  —  Confidence  of  iho 
Rebels. — Longstreet's  Command. —  His  I'lan. —  Half  past  Three. — 
The  Attack,  —  Kesistance  of  the  Third  Corps.  —  INlcGiUery's  Batteries. 

—  The  Ninth  Massachusetts  Battery.  —  Barnes's  Division.  — The  Reg- 
olars.  —  Kesistance  of  the  I'ennsylvania  Iveserves.  —  Hood's  A<lviince. 

—  Colonel  Chamberlain's  Position.  —  Slocnm's  Movement. — Double- 
day  and  Williams.  —  Men  of  Vermont.  —  Fourteenth  Maine.  —  Louis- 
iana Tigers.  —  Tmiud  Day.  —  Tlic  Morning  Caimonadc.  —  Itebel 
Prisoners.  —  Fight  on  Culji's  Jliil.  —  Cavalry  Operations.  —  Lee's  Prep- 
arations  for  the  last  Attack.  —  J'osition  of  the  Troops.  — Scene  at  Meade's 
Head-Quarters.  —  The  Cannonade.  —  Howard's  Batteries.  —  Hancock 
wounded.  —  The  Vermont  Kegiments.  —  Repulse  of  the  llebels.  — 
Scenes  along  the  Lines.  —  In  the  Kebel  Lines.  —  Midnight.  —  After  the 
Battle.  — Lee's  Bctreat.  —  ^leade's  Movements.  —  Lee  at  Wiliiarasix>rt. 

—  Crossing  the  Potomac.  —  Battle  at  Falling  Waters  ....     269 

CIIAPTEPv    XIX. 

FROM  THE  EAPIDAN  TO   COLD  HARROR. 

Opening  of  the  Campaign. —  Organization  of  the  Army.  —  Grant's  Plan.  ~ 
The  Ninth  Corps.  —  Presiiieni  Lincoln  reviewing  the  Colored  Troops. 

—  The  Army  in  Motion.  —  Across  the  Itapidan.  —  Grunt  and  Meade  in 
Council.  —  The   Wilderness.  —  Position    of   the   Army.  —  First  Day's 

Fight Arrival  of  the  Ninth  Corjis.  —  Secon<l  Day. — iVlovcmcnt  to 

SjKjttsylvania. —  Sheridan's  Fight.  —  Todd's  Tavern.  —  Warren  en- 
gaged.—  Battle  of  Spottsylvauia.  —  Song  of  the  Wounded.  —  The 
Vermont  Brigade. — Death  of  General  Kice.  —  Atia<k  of  the  Second 
Corps.  —  A  Day  in  Fredericksburg.  — Sanitary  an<l  Christian  Commis- 
gions.  —  Getting  Straw  for  the  Hospitals.  —  Movement  to  the  North  Anna. 

—  liatile  of  Jericho  Bridge.  —  A  Night  in  a  C.'ibin. — Movement  to 
Hanover. — Battle  of  Betbesda  Church.  —  General  Smith's  Advance  to 
Cold    llarhor.  —  Sheridan's  iMovement.  —  Position  of  the   two  Armies. 

—  First  liafile  of  Cold  Harbor.  —  Hospital  Scene.  —  Second  Battle.  - 
MtCIellan  at  Cold  Harbor  and   the  Campaign  of  'C'J.  —  Grunt's  Ojtera- 
ti,)ns. —  Caroline  Coutity. —  The  J*laniers   and  their  Property.  —  The 
Day  of  Jubilee. — Breaking  up  of  Society  .         .  .         .  304 

CHAPTER    XX. 

TO  rETEKSnURG. 

Commentd  of  the  Rebel  Newspapers.  —  Opinions  of  the  Soldiers.  —  Discni- 
sion  of  Plans.  —  Geuenil  Hunter's  Advance  to  Lynchburg.  —  Shcridau'g 


CONTEXTS.  Xl 

Raid. — Butler  and  Gill  more.  —  ^fovcracnt  to  Jaracs  River.  —  Gillmoro'a 
Failure.  —  Grant's  Insiruciions  to  Siiiiih.  —  Lcc  surprised.  —  General 
Ilinks's  Division  of  Colored  Troops.  —  Their  First  Engagement.  — 
Smith's  Advance.  —  First  Battle  in  FroJit  of  I'ctersburg.  —  Capture  of 
Rebel  Intrenchments.  —  General  Terry's  Movement.  — Lost  Opportuni- 
ties. —  Sentiments  of  the  Vcople.  —  1 'resident  Lincoln Heroism  of  tho 

Colored  Soldiers, — Arrival  of  the  Ninth  Corps.  —  Second  Buttle  in 
Front  of  I'etersburg.  —  General  I'otter's  Division.  —  Fifty-Seventh  Mas- 
sachusetts. —  Kdward  M.  Sclineider.  —  Third  Battle  in  Front  of  I'cters- 

burg Barbarism  of  Slavery.  —  Prejudice  against  Colored  Troops. — 

The  Christian  Commission.  —  Hardships  of  the  Campaign.  —  Religion 

in  the  Army 851 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

SIEGE  OrERATIONS. 

Lientcnant-Colonel  Pleasants.  —  ITis  Plan  for  a  Mine  to  destroy  the  Works 
before  Petersburg.  —  Dilliculties  lie  encountered  in  constructing  it. — 
Battle  at  Deep  Bottom. —  Comj)letion  of  the  Mine.  —  Preparations  for 
springing  it.  —  Fuse  goes  out.  —  Delay.  —  Relighted.  — The  E-xjilosion. 

—  Consternation  of  the  Rebels. — Confusion  of  Union  Troops.  —  RebcU 
return  to  their  Guns.  —  Terril>le  Slaughter  in  the  Crater.  —  Reasons  for 

the  Failure.  —  Tho  Rebel  Press.  —  Tho  Fortunes  of  the  Confederacy      .     37» 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

THIRD  INVASION  OF  JL^RYLAND. 

General  Sitnation  of  Aflairs.  —  Enriy's  Movement  down  tho  Valley.  — 
Brcckenridge  sent  to  reinforce  hi^n.  —  The  Si.xih  Corps. — E.xcitcmcnt 
in  Washington.  —  Early's  Force.  —  Massachusetts  Sixteenth  Regiment 

—  Arrival  of  Nineteenth  Corps.  —  Enthusiastic  Reception.  —  Confidence 
restored.  —  Battle  of  Monocacy.  —  Alarming  Reports.  —  Advance  of  Reb- 
els upon  Washington.  —  Their  hasty  Retreat S84 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Sherman's  army. 

Review  of  Sherman's  Campaign. — Jeff  Davis's  dislike  of  Jahnston. — 
Appointment  of  Hood.  —  Davis's  Speech  to  Hood's  Army.  —  Shcr- 
man  contemplates  a  Movement  to  Savannah.  —  Grant  authorizes  it.  — 
Organization  of  Sherman's  Army. —  Comments  of  Rebel  Press  on  his 
March  to  the  Sea.  —  Complaints  of  Sherman's   Inhumanity.  —  He  is 

compared  to  Attila.  —  His  Vindication  of  Himself.  —  The  Bummers 

Their  Humanity  to  Union  Refugees     .....     S91 


Xil  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXIV 

CHRISTIANITY   AND   BARBARISM. 

Sherman  in  Savannah.  —  Destitution  of  the  People.  —  IJuraanity  of  the 
People  of  the  North.  —  Steamer  Greyhound.  —  Belle  Boyd.  —  Voyage 
of  the  Greyhound.  —  Thunderbolt  Battery.  —  Fifty-Fifth  Massachusetts. 

—  Distribution  of  Supplies.  —  Kcbel  Prisons.  —  licsponsibility  of  Ilebel 
Oflficials.  —  Amiability  of  General  Lcc.  —  Andersonvillo       .         .         .     405 

CHAPTER   XXV. 
SCENES   IN   SAVANNAH. 

Annt  Nellie  and  her  Sister.  —  Inhumanity  of  Slavery.  —  Whittier's  Lines 

—  Burning  of  the  Arsenal.  —  General  Sherman's  Order  No.  15. — 
Abandoned  Lands.  —  General  Saxton.  —  JMccting  of  Frcedmcn.  —  Ad- 
dress of  Rev.  Mr.  French.  —  Appearance  of  the  Congregation.  —  Rev. 
Mr.  Houston.  —  The  Slave  Market.  —  Commencing  a  Colony.  —  Plans 

of  the  Freedmen.  —  The  Sexton.  —  The  Dead  from  Manassas The 

Gospel  of  S      cry. — Breaking  up  of  Society.  —  Ladies  of  Savannah. 

—  Poor  Whites  of  Georgia.  —  Negro  Dialect.  —  Freedmen  in  Council  in 
the  Slave  Market.  —  Their  Battle-Uymn.  —  Civilization.  —  Christianity 
•tWork  ...  414 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

SHERMAN  IN  SOUTH   CAROLINA 

Instructions  of  General   Grant.  —  Sherman's   Plan Expectation  of  the 

Rebels Grover*8  Division.  —  Ilis  Army  in  Motion.  —  Howard's  Ad- 
vance to  the  Salkehatchie.  —  Crossing  the  River.  —  Ilardce  retires  to 
Branchville.  —  Kilpatrick's  Movement  towards  Augusta.  —  Consterna- 
tion of  the  Rebels.  —  Sherman  moves  to  Orangeburg.  —  General  Pot- 
ter's Division.  —  Hampton's  and  Wheeler's  Cavalry.  —  Hampton's 
Home.  —  Columbia.  —  Burning  of  the  City.  —  Sherman  charges  Hamp- 
ton with  kindling  the  Fire.  —  Bitterness  of  South-Carolinians  against 
General  Sherman.  —  Responsibility  of  the  Rebel  Government  for  Out- 
rages           .         .     436 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 
SOUTH  CAROLINA  BEFORE   THE   WAR. 

The  Part  taken  by  the  State  in  the  Political  Affairs  of  the  Nation Basis 

of  Representation.  —  Classes  of  People Lowlanders  and  Uplanders 


CONTENTS.  Xiii 

Climate.  —  Cotton.  —  Parish  System Assembling  of  the  Legislature  in 

1860.  —  Kcmarks  of  "W.  D.  Porter Secession  Principles.  —  Adjourn- 
ment to  Cliarlcston.  —  Ilibernia  Hall.  —  Rev.  Dr.  Tliornwell's  Preach- 
ing  The   Teachings   of  the  Bible.  —  The  Province  of  History.  — 

Negroes  for  Sale.  —  Women  of  South  Carolina  in  Favor  of  Secession.  — 
The  Charleston  Mercury.  —  The  "  Patriarchal  Institution "    .         .         .     44* 

CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

SUMTER. 

Governor  Pickens's  Letter  to  President  Buchanan.  —  Major  Anderson  In 
Sumter.  —  Construction  of  Rebel  Batteries.  —  Negotiations  for  the  Sur- 
render of  the  Fort.  —  The  Bombardment.  —  Scenes  in  Charioston  after 

the  Surrender.  —  Visit   to  the  Fort.  —  Captured  Blockade-Runners 

Condition  of  the  Fort.  —  Scenes  of  the  Morning  ....  454 

CHAPTER    XXIX. 
CHARLESTON. 

A  City  of  Ruins.  —  Our  Welcome.  —  Charleston  before  the  War.  —  The 
Seducer  of  States.  —  Siege  of  the  City.  —  Removal  of  the  People.  — As- 
sertion of  the  Charleston  Courier.  —  The  Evacuation.  —  Blowing  up  of 
tlio  Iron-clads.  —  Firing  the  City.  —  Bursting  the  Guns Twenty- 
First  Colored  Regiment.  —  Colonel  Bennett  occupies  the  City Fifty- 
Fourth  Massachusetts  extinguishing  the  Flames.  —  "  Gillraore's  Town." 

—  The  "  Swamp  Angel."  —  The  Courier  Office The  Banks.  —  South 

Carolina  Troops   in   Confederate  Service.  —  The  Mills  House.  —  The 

Chu    ...o The   great   Fire   of    1861.  —  Devastation. —  Slave   Me* 

chants.  —  The  Bell  of  St.  Michael's.  —  The  Guard-House.  —  The  Sla>o- 
Mart.  —  Letters  of  the  Slave-Traders.  —  Colonel  Woodford  in  the  Office 

of  the  Courier.  —  Sermon  of  Rev.  Dr.  Porter.  —  A  Yankee  in  his  Bed 

Joy  of  the  Colored  People "  Rosa's  "  Mother.  —  Washington's  Birth- 
day—  John  Brown  in  Charleston.  —  Humiliation  of  the  Rebels.  — 
Union  Men.  —  The  Old  Flag.  —  How  the  People  were  cheated      .         .     46t 

CHAPTER  XXX. 
THE  LAST   CAMPAIGN. 

Position  of  A(fairs.  —  Grant's  Letter  to  Sheridan.  —  Cavalry  Raids.  —  Sher- 
idan's Movement  to  Waynesboro'.  —  Attack  upon  Early.  —  Advance  to 

James   River Moves  to  White  House. — Joins    Grant. — Alarm   in 

Richmond.  —  Lee's  last  Offensive  Iklovement.  —  Attack  on  Fort  Stead- 
man.  —  Repulse  of  Grordon.  —  Grant's  Order  to  "  finish  up  "  the  Rebel- 


Xiv  CONTENTS. 

lion.  —  Sherman's  Visit  to  Grant Great  Men  in  Council.  —  Grant'ii 

Line. —  Shcriilan  on  tlic  Move.  —  Lee's  Diversion  against  the  Ninth 
Corps.  —  Night  Attack.  —  A  Uebel  Prisoner.  —  A  I^ok  at  the  Oppos- 
ing Forces. — Hatcher's  Kun Lee's  Line  of  Fortifications.  —  Grant 

feels  like  ending  the  Matter.  —  Battle  of  Dinwiddic  Court-1  louse.  — Ad- 

Tancc   of  the  Fifth    Corps Battle   of  Five  F'orks.  —  Charge  of   the 

Fifth  Corps.  —  Merrill's  Attack.  —  llout  of  the  Rebels  .         .         .486 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

RICHMOND. 

Jeff  Daris  a  Fugitive.  —  Blowing  up  of  the  Rebel  Iron-clads.  —  Grant  ia 
Petersburg.  —  President  Lincoln  and  the  Soldiers Bide  to  llichinond. 

—  Lee's   Message   to   Davis.  —  Consternation    in   Richmond. — Rev. 

Messrs.    Iloge   and   Duncan The    last   Slave    Codle.  —  Confc^lcrato 

Promises  to  Pay.  —  Scenes  of  Sund.ay  Night. — Pillaging  the  City. — 
Flight  of  the  Legislature.  —  General  Ewell  and  the  Mayor  in  regard  to 
burning  the  City.  —  The  Mj\ssacrc  at  the  Almshouse.  —  Firing  the  City. 

—  Departure  of  the  licbel  Troops.  —  Brcckenridgc  taking  a  hi&t  Look  of 
the  City.  —  Sunrise. — Major  Stevens  and  the  Fourth  Massachusetts 
Cavalry.  —  Surrender  of  the  City.  —  Raising  Flags  on  the  Capitol. — 
The  Yankees  putting  out  the  Flames.  —  Entrance  of  General  Wcitzel.  — 
Taking  a  Room  at  tiie  Spottswood  Hotel.  —  Scenes  in  the  City  on  Aton- 

day General  Devens's  Orders.  —  Visit  to  the  Cai)itol.  — Admiral  Far- 

ragut.  —  President  Lincoln's  Arrival. — Joy  of  the  Colored  People. — 
Walk  to  Jeff  Davis's  Mausion. — Judge  Campbell. —  Admiral   I'orter. 

—  The  President's  Visit  to  Libby  Prison.  —  Opinions  of  the  People.  — 
Colored  Soldiers  in  the  Service  of  the  Rebels. — Lee's  Opinions.  —  An 
Abolitionist  in  Richmond. — A  Newspaper  Correspondent  and  a  l?cbel 
Officer At  the  Capitol.  —  Scenes  of  the  Past Christian  Charity     . 

CHAPTER    XXXII. 
THE  CONFEDERATE  LOAN. 

Attitude  of  Great  Britain.  —  Sympathies  of  Palmerston  and  Russell.  —  Th* 
English  I'ress.  —  Oi>cratives  of  Lancashire.  —  The  London  Tima.  — 
Opinions  of  Mr.  Spence.  —  His  Api)ointmcnt  as  Financial  Agent.  — Ad- 
dress of  the  Lon<lon  Confederate  Aid  Association.  —  Whittier's  Lines  to 
Englishmen.  —  Mr.  Mason  at  St.  James.  —  His  Griefs.  —  Benjamin's 
Letter  to  Mason.  —  Mr.  De  Ixion  appointed  Agent  to  subsidize  the  Press 
of  Europe.  —  Englishmen  engaged  in  Blockade-Running.  —  English 
Shipbuilders  at  work  for  the  Slaveholders.  —  Funds  needed.  —  Bcnj». 
Bain's  Letter  to  Spence.  —  llebel  Coin  shipped  in  British  Vessels  of  War. 

—  Slidell's  Proposition  for  a  Loan  based  on  Cotton.  —  French  intriguo 


CONTENTS.  XT 

so  serer  Texas  from  the  Confederacy.  —  Mr.  Slidell  recommends  D'Er- 
langcr  as  a  suitable  Agent  to  negotiate  the  Loan.  —  D'Erlangcr  offers  it  to 
the  Bankers  of  London.  —  Mr.  Dc  Leon  secures  the  Support  of  the  Press.  — 
Opening  of  the  Correspondence.  —  D'Erlanger's  Opinion  of  Mr.  Spenco. 

—  Mr.  Spence's  Proposal.  —  Rush  for  Subscriptions.  —  Mr.  Spence'i 
Letter  to  D'Erlanger.  —  Compliments  of  the  Emperor  to  D'Erlangcr  on 
the  Success  o'  ».!  o  T^  an.  —  Jeff  Davis  a  Repudiax^r.  -  Rancor  of  the 
London  Times  iu  IS'.O.  — Eats  its  Words  m  1863.  —  Whitewashes  Da- 
vis. —  Opinions  of  Mr.  Sampson.  —  Opinions  of  Mr.  Delaine.  —  The 
Times  in  the  Pay  of  Jeff  Davis.  —  How  the  Support  of  the  Newspapers 
was  secured.  —  Mr.  Spenco  receives  £  6,.500  as  Correspondent  of  the 
Times.  —  Meeting  of  Rebels  in  Paris.  —  IIow  the  Loan  was  sustained. 

-  D'Erlanger's  good  Game.  —  Wishes  for  a  Second  Loan.  —  D'Erlan- 
gcr takes  the  Part  of  Shylock.  —  Trouble  with  McRae.  —  D'Erlanger 
helping  Ilimsclf  to  Principal  and  Interest. — Schrocdcr  &  Co.  in  the 
"  Ring."  —  Payments  of  Money.  —  Who  was  benefited.  —  The  present 
Bondholders ^V 

CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

SURRENDER   OF  LEE. 

The  Retreat  of  Lee  from  Petersburg.  —  Dejection  of  Rebel  Soldien.  — 
Grant's  Intentions.  —  Lee's  Line  of  Retreat.  —  Grant  ahead  of  him.  — 
Panic  among  the  Rebel  Troops.  —  Meade's  Movements.  —  Battle  at  Sail- 
or's Creek.  —  Custar's  Charge.  —  Skirmish  at  Farmville.  —  The  Race 
toward  Lynchburg.  —  Sheridan's  Movement.  —  Lee's  last  Coancil  of 
War.  —  Correspondence  between  Lee  and  Grant  —  The  Meeting.— 
The  Surrender Announcement  to  the  Armies Pickett's  Treason. 

—  Best  and  Peace  *«• 

CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

CONCLUSION. 

General  Grant  aS  City  Point  ->  The  End  of  the  BebeUioii  ,        •        .     *M 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Chajwsb  thbough  an  Abatis 

Frontispiece 

PAGE 

The  First  Subscription   .     .  1 

Capitol  at  Washington    .     .  4 

Pro  Patria 7 

Sixth  Massachusetts  Regi- 
ment IN  Baltimore  ...  8 
Guarding  Long  Bridge  .  .  12 
Aid  Society's  Store-Room  .  IG 
The  Ideal  Freedman  ...  IG 
Ladies    working     for     the 

Army 22 

Forwarded  Free     ....  29 

Ellsworth  Zouave  Drill  46 
General    Grant  —  General 

Sherman     ......  54 

Hauling  Cotton      .     .          .  G2 

Baltimore  in  18G1  .     .     .     !  75 

East  Tennessee  Refugees     .  02 

A  Mississippi  Schoolhouse    .  9G 

Gunboats  in  Line    ....  102 

With  Dispatch 109 

General  McClellan  at  Wil- 
liamsburg    110 

General  McClellan  at  the 

Battle  op  Antietam      .     .  114 

The  Sunken  Road   ....  118 

Battle  of  Antietam     .     .     .  120 

For  the  Boys  in  Blue      .     .  121 
Slaves  fleeing  to  the  Army 

FOR  Protection     ....  128 


PACTS 

A  Silent  Spectatoe     ...  136 

Fredericksburg      ....  140 

Franklin's  Attack  ....  155 

Tattoo 173 

The  Magic  Lantern  in  the 

H0S1>1TAL 174 

The  Christian  Commission  in 

THE  Field 176 

Busy  Fingers 173 

Chancellorsville    ....  188 

Battery  at  Chancellorsville  194 

Sedgwick's  Attack      .     .     .  201 

Leading  a  Charge  ....  204 

Salem  Church 208 

"  Keep  out  of  the  Draft  "    .  211 

Night  March  of  Cavalry     .  214 

Kearny  Cross 223 

The  Nation's  Ward     .     .     .  234 

A  Bird's-Nest  Bank     ...  247 

Cavalry  Charge      .     .     .     .  258 

Advance  to  Gettysburg   .     .  263 

The  Color-Bearer  ....  272 

Gettysburg  Battle-Field  .  280 
With    a    "Hurrah"    they 

RUSH  ON 296 

A  Regiment  at  Dinner    .     .  305 

Wilderness         317 

Spottsylvania 323 

The  Sanitary  Commission  in 

the  Hospital 326 

North  Anna 331 


XVIU 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

Bayonet  Charge      ....  332 

Cold  Harbor 334 

Negroes    coming    into    the 

Lines 344 

Foraging 348 

One  Day's  Labor,  One  Day's 

Income  .     .     ...     .     .  362 

Petersburg,  July  17,  1864    .  365 

Petersburg,  July  30,  1864    .  368 
Army    Corps    Chapel    near 

Petersburg 368 

Ruins  of  Chambersburg  .     .  388 
A  Lay  Delegate  in  the  Hos- 

PITAL 390 

Edward  Everett  —  Mt.  Ver- 
non —  Savannah  —  The 

Capitol 401 

Sherman's  Bummers    .     .     .  420 

Fort  Sumter 435 

Mississippi  River    Hospital 

Steamer 443 

Battle  of  Fort  Sumter    .     .  444 
Cooper  Shop  Volunteer  Re- 
freshment Saloon    .     .     .  453 
Defence  op  Fort  Sumter      .  456 


PAGB 

For  our  Flag 461 

"  John  Brown  "  in  Charleston  480 
Citizens'    Volunteer     Hos- 
pital    484 

Troops  destroying  a   Rail- 
road    486 

Fire  Ambulance      ....  498 
Humiliation  of  Richmond    .  506 
Farragut  at  Mobile   ...  510 
President  Lincoln  in  Rich- 
mond        512 

Abraham  Lincoln   .     .     .     .  514 
U.  S.  Christian  Commission  .  522 
Captain   Winslow  and    the 
Kearsarge — Admiral  Far- 
ragut   528 

Patriot       Orphan       Home, 

Flushing,  L.  1 542 

Surrender  of  General  Lee  .  544 
General  Lee's  Farewell     .  554 
Study  for  a  Statue  of  Lin- 
coln    555 

Assassination  of  Lincoln      .  556 

With  a  Lavish  Hand  .     .     .  558 


TUE   FIKST  SUBSCRIPTION. 


THE    BOYS    OF    '61. 


INTRODUCTORY. 

BEGINNING    OF    THE    CONFLICT. 

After  four  years  of  war  our  country  rests  in  peace.  The 
Great  Rebellion  has  been  subdued,  and  the  power  and  author- 
ity of  the  United  States  government  are  recognized  in  all  the 
States.  It  has  been  a  conflict  of  ideas  and  prmciples.  Millions 
of  men  have  been  in  arms.  Great  battles  have  been  fought. 
There  have  been  deeds  of  sublimest  heroism  and  exhibitions  of 
Christian  patriotism  which  shall  stir  the  hearts  of  those  who  are 
to  live  in  the  coming  ages.  Men  who  at  the  beginning  of  the 
struggle  were  scarcely  known  beyond  their  village  homes  are 
numbered  now  among 

"  the  immortal  names 
That  were  not  born  to  die  ** ; 

while  the  names  of  others  who  once  occupied  places  of  honor 
and  trust,  who  forswore  their  allegiance  to  their  coiuitry  and 
gave  themselves  to  do  wickedly,  shall  bo  held  forever  in  ab 
horrence. 

It  has  been  my  privilege  to  accompany  the  armies  of  the 
Union  through  this  mighty  struggle.  I  was  an  eye-witness  of 
the  first  battle  at  Bull  Run,  of  Fort  Donelson,  Pittsburg  Land- 
ing, Corinth,  Island  No.  10,  Fort  Pillow,  Memphis,  Antietam, 
Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  Fort  Sumter,  Wilderness,  Spottsyl- 
vania.  North  Anna,  Hanover  Court-House,  Cold  Harbor,  Peters- 
burg, Weldon  Railroad,  and  Five  Forks.  I  was  in  Savannah 
soon  after  its  occupation  by  Sherman  on  his  great  march  to  the 
sea,  and  watched  his  movement  "  north wai'd  with  the  sim." 
I  walked  the  streets  of  Charleston  in  the  hour  of  her  deepest 
humiliation,  and  rode  into  Richmond  on  the  day  that  the  stan 
1 


2  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

of  the  Union  were  thrown  in  triumph  to  the  breeze  above  the 
Confederate  Capitol. 

It  ecems  a  dream,  and  yet  when  I  turn  to  the  numerous  note- 
Dooks  Ijing  before  mo,  and  read  the  pencilings  made  on  the 
march,  the  battle-field,  in  the  hospital,  and  by  the  flickering 
camp-fires,  it  is  no  longer  a  fancy  or  a  picture  of  the  imagina- 
tion, but  a  reality.  The  scenes  return.  I  behold  once  more 
the  moving  columns,  —  their  waving  bamicrs,  —  the  sunlight 
gleaming  from  gun-barrel  and  bayonet,  —  the  musket's  flash 
and  cannon's  flame.  I  hear  the  drum-beat  and  the  wild  hur- 
rah !  Grant,  Sherman,  Sheridan,  Meade,  Bui-nsidc,  Howard, 
Hancock,  and  Logan  arc  leading  them  ;  while  Sedgwick, 
Wadsworth,  McFherson,  Mansfield,  Richardson,  Rice,  Raker, 
Wallace,  Shaw,  Lowell,  Winthrop,  Putnam,  and  thousands  of 
patriots,  are  laying  down  their  lives  for  their  country.  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  walks  the  streets  of  Richmond,  and  is  hailed  as  the 
Great  Deliverer,  —  the  ally  of  the  Messiah  ! 

It  will  be  my  aim  in  this  volume  to  reproduce  some  of  those 
scenes,  —  to  give  truthful  narratives  of  events,  descriptions 
of  battles,  incidents  of  life  in  camp,  in  the  hospital,  on  the 
march,  in  the  hour  of  battle  on  land  and  sea,  —  writing  noth- 
ing in  malice,  not  even  towards  those  who  have  fought  against 
the  Union.  I  shall  endeavor  to  give  the  truth  of  history  rather 
than  the  romance  ;  facts  instead  of  philosophy ;  to  make  real 
the  scenes  of  the  mighty  struggle  through  which  we  have 
passed. 

On  the  11th  of  June,  1861, 1  left  Boston  to  become  an  Army 
Correspondent.  The  patriotism  of  the  North  was  at  flood-tide. 
Her  di'um-beat  was  heard  in  every  village.  Men  were  leaving 
their  own  afiairs  to  serve  their  country.  The  stars  and  stripes 
waved  from  house-top  and  steeple.  New  York  was  a  sea  of 
banners.  Ladies  wore  Union  rosettes  in  their  hair,  while 
fxentlemen's  neck-ties  were  of  "  red,  white,  and  blue."  That 
family  was  poor  indeed  who  could  neither  by  cloth  or  colored 
tissue-paper  manifest  its  love  for  the  Union.  The  music  ol 
the  streets  —  vocal  and  instrumental  —  was  "  Hail  Columbia  " 
and  "  Yankee  Doodle."  Everywhere,  —  in  city  and  town 
and  village,  in  Boston,  New  York,  and  Philadelphia,  —  there 
was  the  same  spirit  manifested  by  old  and  young,  of  both 


1861.]  BEGINNING   OF   THE   CONFUCT.  8 

Boxes,  to  put  down  the  Rebellion,  cost  what  it  might  of  blood 
and  treasure. 

Baltimore  presented  a  striking  contrast  to  the  other  great 
cities.  It  was  dull  and  gloomy.  The  stars  and  stripes  waved 
over  the  Eutaw  House,  from  the  American  newspaper  office, 
w^here  the  brothers  Fulton  maintained  unswerving  loyalty.  A 
few  other  residents  had  thrown  the  flag  to  the  breeze,  but  Se- 
cession was  powerful,  and  darkly  plotted  treason.  There  was 
frequent  communication  with  the  Rebels,  who  were  muster- 
ing at  Manassas.  Business  was  at  a  stand  still.  The  pulses 
of  trade  had  stopped.  Merchants  waited  in  vain  for  customers 
through  the  long  summer  day.  Females,  calling  themselves 
ladies,  daintily  gathered  up  their  skirts  whenever  they  passed 
an  officer  or  soldier  wearing  the  army  blue  in  the  streets,  and 
manifested  in  other  ways  their  utmost  contempt  for  all  who 
supported  the  Union. 

General  Butler,  who  had  subdued  the  rampant  Secessionists 
by  his  vigorous  measures,  had  been  ordered  to  Fortress  Mon- 
roe, and  General  Banks  had  just  assumed  command.  His 
head-quarters  were  in  Fort  McHenry.  A  regiment  of  raw 
Pennsylvanians  was  encamped  on  the  hill,  by  the  roadside  lead- 
ing to  the  fort.  Officers  and  soldiers  alike  were  ignorant  of 
military  tactics.  Three  weeks  previous  they  were  foUo^ving 
the  plough,  or  digging  in  the  coal-mines,  or  smelting  iron. 
It  was  amusing  to  watch  their  attempts  at  evolution.  They 
were  drilling  by  squads  and  companies.  "  Right  face,"  shout 
ed  an  officer  to  his  squad.  A  few  executed  the  order  correct- 
ly, some  faced  to  the  left,  while  others  faced  first  right,  then 
left,  and  general  confusion  ensued. 

So,  too,  were  the  officers  ignorant  of  proper  military  phrases. 
At  one  time  a  captain,  whose  last  command  had  been  a  pair  of 
draft-horses  on  his  Pennsylvania  farm,  on  coming  to  a  pit  in 
the  road,  electrified  his  company  by  the  stentorian  order  to 
"  Gee  round  that  hole." 

It  was  a  beautiful  evening,  and  the  moon  was  shining  brigh^ 
ly,  when  I  called  upon  General  Banks.  Outside  the  fort  were 
the  field  batteries  belonging  to  the  Baltimore  Artillery  which 
had  been  delivered  up  to  Governor  Hicks  in  April.  The  Seces- 
sionists raved  over  the  transaction  at  the  time,  and  in  their  rage 


4  THE    BOYS    OF  '61.  [Juue, 

cursed  the  Governor  who  turned  them  over  to  the  United  States 
authorities.  Soldiers  were  building  abattis,  and  training  guns 
—  sixty-four  pounders  —  to  bear  upon  the  city,  for  even  then 
there  were  signs  of  an  upheaval  of  the  Secession  elements,  and 
General  Banks  decmGd  it  best  to  be  prepared  for  whatever 
might  happen.  But  tlie  Rebels  on  that  day  were  moving  from 
Harper's  Ferry,  having  destroyed  all  the  property  of  the  Balti- 
more and  Ohio  Railroad  Company  in  the  vicinity. 

Passing  on  to  Washington  I  found  it  in  a  hubbub.  Troops 
were  pouring  in,  raw,  undisciplined,  yet  of  material  to  make  the 
best  soldiers  in  the  world,  —  poets,  painters,  artists,  artisans, 
mechanics,  printers,  men  of  letters,  bankers,  merchants,  and 
ministers  were  in  the  ranks.  Tliere  was  a  constant  rumble 
of  artillery  in  the  streets,  —  the  jarring  of  baggage-wagons, 
and  tlie  tramping  of  men.  Soldiers  were  quartered  in  the 
Capitol.  They  spread  their  blankets  in  the  corridors,  and 
made  themselves  at  home  in  the  halls.  Hostilities  had  com- 
menced. Ellsworth  had  just  been  carried  to  liis  last  resting- 
place.  The  bodies  of  Winthrop  and  Greble  were  tlien  behig 
borne  to  burial,  wrapped  in  the  flag  of  tlieir  country. 

Colonel  Stone,  with  a  number  of  regiments,  was  marching 
out  from  Washington  to  picket  the  Potomac  from  Washington 
to  Point  of  Rocks.  General  Patterson  was  on  tlie  upper  Poto- 
Qiac,  General  McClcllan  and  General  Rosecrans,  with  Virginia 
and  Ohio  troops,  were  driving  the  Rebels  from  Rich  Mountain, 
wliile  General  McDowell  was  preparing  to  move  upon  Ma- 
nassas. 

Tliese  were  all  new  names  to  the  public.  Patterson  liad 
served  in  the  Mexican  war,  but  the  people  had  forgotten  it. 
McClellan  was  known  only  as  an  engineer,  wlio  had  made  a 
report  concerning  the  proposed  railroad  to  tlie  Pacific,  and  had 
visited  Russia  during  the  Crimean  war.  General  Wool  was 
in  New  York,  old  and  feeble,  too  far  advanced  in  life  to  take 
the  field.  The  people  were  looking  up  to  General  Scott  as  the 
Hercules  of  the  hour.  Some  one  had  called  him  the  "  Great 
Captain  of  the  Age."  He  was  of  gigantic  stature,  and  had 
fought  gallantly  on  the  Canadian  frontier  in  1812,  and  with 
his  well-appointed  army  had  marched  in  triumph  into  the  City 
of  Mexico.      The  events  of  the  last  war  with  England,  and 


1861.J  BEGINNING   OF   THE  CONFUCT.  6 

that  with  Mexico,  in  which  General  Scott  was  always  the 
central  figure,  had  been  reliearsed  by  the  stump-orators  of  a 
great  political  party  during  an  exciting  campaign.  Ilis  like- 
ness was  familiar  to  every  American.  It  was  to  bo  found  in 
parl:rs,  saloons,  bccr-sliops,  and  in  all  public  places,  —  repre- 
senting him  as  a  hero  in  gold-embroidered  coat,  epaulets,  cha- 
peau,  and  nodding  plume.  His  was  the  genius  to  direct  the 
gatheruig  hosts.  So  the  people  believed.  Ho  was  a  Virgin- 
ian, but  loyal.     The  newspapers  lauded  him. 

"  General  Scott  is  watching  the  Rebels  with  sleepless  vigi- 
lance," was  the  not  unfrequent  telegraphic  despatch  sent  from 
Washington. 

But  ho  was  seventy-five  years  of  age.  His  powers  were  fail- 
ing. His  old  wound  troubled  him  at  times.  He  could  walk 
only  with  difficulty,  and  it  tired  him  to  ride  the  few  rods 
between  his  house  and  tho  War  Department.  lie  was  slow 
and  sluggish  in  all  his  thoughts  and  actions.  Yet  the  people 
had  confidence  in  him,  and  ho  in  himself. 

The  newspapers  were  filled  with  absurd  rumors  and  state- 
ments concerning  the  movements  and  intentions  of  the  Rebels. 
It  was  said  that  Beauregard  had  sixty  thousand  men  at  Mar 
nassas.  A  New  York  paper,  having  a  large  circulation,  pic- 
tured Manassas  as  an  impregnable  position ;  a  plain  com- 
manded by  heavy  guns  upon  the  surrounding  hills!  It  is 
indeed  a  plain,  but  the  "commanding"  hills  are  wanting. 
Rumor  reported  that  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  who  was  in 
the  Shenandoah  valley,  destroying  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad,  and  burning  the  bridges  across  the  Potomac,  had 
thirty  thousand  men ;  but  we  now  know  that  his  whole  force 
consisted  of  nine  regiments,  two  battalions  of  infantry,  three 
hundred  cavalry,  and  sixteen  pieces  of  artillery. 

It  was  for  the  interest  of  the  Rebels  to  magnify  their  numbers 
and  resources.  These  exaggerations  had  their  effect  at  the 
War  Department  in  Washhigton.  General  Butler  proposed 
the  early  occupation  of  Manassas,  to  cut  off  communication  by 
rail  between  Richmond  and  upper  Virginia,  but  his  proposition 
was  rejected  by  General  Scott.  Tho  troops  in  and  around 
Washington  were  only  partially  organized  into  brigades.  There 
iras  not  much  system.     Everybody  was  full  of  zeal  and  energy, 


^>  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [JunO, 

and  there  was  manifest  impatience  among  the  soldiers  at  the 
inactivity  of  the  commander-in-chief. 

The  same  was  true  of  the  Rebels.  They  were  mustering  at 
Manassas.  Regiments  and  battalions  were  pouring  through 
Richmond.  Southern  women  welcomed  them  with  sweetest 
smiles,  presented  them  with  fairest  flowers,  and  urged  them 
on  to  drive  the  "  usurper "  from  Washington.  Southern 
newspapers,  from  the  commencement,  had  been  urging  the 
capture  of  the  Federal  capital.  Said  the  Richmond  Examiner^ 
of  April  23d :  — 

"  The  capture  of  "Washington  is  perfectly  within  the  power  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Maryland,  if  Virginia  will  only  make  the  effort  by  her  con- 
stituted authorities.  Nor  is  there  a  single  moment  to  lose.  The 
entire  population  pant  for  the  onset 

"  From  the  mountain-tops  and  valleys  to  the  shores  of  the  sea,  there 
is  one  wild  shout  of  fierce  resolve  to  capture  "Washington  City,  at  all 
and  every  human  hazard.     That  filthy  cage  of  unclean  birds  must  and 

will  assuredly  be  purified  by  fire It  is  not  to  be  endured  that  thia 

fliglit  of  abolition  harpies  shall  come  down  from  the  black  North  for 
their  roosts  in  the  heart  of  the  South,  to  defile  and  brutahze  the  land. 
....  Our  people  can  take  it,  —  they  will  take  it,  —  and  Scott  the 
arch-traitor,  and  Lincoln  the  beast,  combined,  cannot  prevent  it.  The 
just  indignation  of  an  outraged  and  deeply  injured  people  will  teach 
the  Illinois  Ape  to  repeat  his  race  and  retrace  his  journey  across  the 
borders  of  the  free  negro  States  still  more  rapidly  than  he  came ;  and 
Scott  the  traitor  will  be  given  the  opportunity  at  the  same  time  to  try 
the  difference  between  Scott's  tactics  and  the  Shanghae  drill  for  quick 
movements. 

"  Great  cleansing  and  puriGcation  are  needed  and  will  be  given  to 
that  festering  sink  of  iniquity, —  that  wallow  of  Lincoln  and  Scott, — the 
desecrated  city  of  Washington ;  and  many  indeed  will  be  the  carcasses 
of  dogs  and  caitiffs  that  will  blacken  the  air  upon  the  gallows  before 
the  work  is  accomplished.     So  let  it  be." 

General  Beauregard  was  the  most  prominent  of  the  Rebel 
commanders,  having  been  brought  before  the  public  by  the 
surrender  of  Fort  Sumter.  Next  in  prominence  were  the  two 
Johnstons,  Joseph  E.  and  Albert  Sydney,  and  General  Bragg. 
Stonewall  Jackson  had  not  been  heard  from.  Lee  had  just 
gone  over  to  the  Rebels.  He  had  remained  with  General  Scott, 
—  his  confidant  and  chief  adviser,  —  till  the  19th  of  April,  and 


1861.] 


BEGINNING   OF  THE   CONFUCT. 


was  made  commander  of  the  Rebel  forces  in  Virginia  on  the 
22d  The  Convention  of  Virginia,  then  in  session  at  Rich- 
mond, passed  the  ordinance  of  secession  on  the  17th,  —  to  be 
submitted  to  the  people  for  ratification  or  rejection  five 
weeki  later.  Lee  had  therefore  committed  an  act  of  treason 
without  the  paltry  justification  of  the  plea  that  he  was  follow- 
ing the  lead  of  his  State. 

Such  was  the  general  aspect  of  affairs  when,  in  June,  I  re- 
ceived permission  from  the  War  Department  to  become  an 
army  correspondent. 


^JM^^i 


THE  BOYS  OF  'CL  [June, 


CHAPTER    I. 

AROUND    WASHINGTON. 

In  March,  1861,  there  was  no  town  in  Virginia  more  thriv- 
ing than  Alexandria ;  in  June  there  was  no  place  so  deso- 
late and  gloomy.  I  visited  it  on  the  17th.  Grass  was  grow- 
ing in  the  streets.  Grains  of  corn  had  sprouted  on  the 
wharves,  and  were  throwing  up  luxuriant  stalks.  The  whole- 
sale stores  were  all  closed;  the  dwelling-houses  were  shut. 
Few  of  the  inhabitants  were  to  be  seen.  The  stars  and  stripes 
waved  over  the  Marshall  House,  the  place  where  Ellsworth  fell. 
A  mile  out  from  the  city,  on  a  beautiful  plain,  was  the  camp 
of  the  Massachusetts  Fifth,  in  which  were  two  companies  from 
Charlestown.  When  at  homo  they  were  accustomed  to  cele- 
brate the  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  Although 
now  in  the  enemy's  country,  they  could  not  forget  the  day. 
They  sat  down  to  an  ample  collation.  Eloquent  speeches 
were  made,  and  an  ode  was  sung,  written  by  one  of  their 
number. 

"  Though  many  miles  away 

From  homo  and  friends  to-day, 
We  're  cheerful  still ; 

For,  brothers,  side  by  side 

We  stand  in  manly  pride, 

Beneath  the  shadow  wide 
Of  Bunker  Hill." 

Boom  —  boom  —  boom  was  the  quick  report  of  far-dis- 
laut  cannon.  What  could  it  bo?  A  reconnoitring  party  of 
Ohio  troops  had  gone  up  the  Loudon  railroad.  Had  anything 
happened  to  them?  There  were  eager  inquiries.  The  men 
fall  into  line,  prepared  for  any  emergency.  A  few  hours  later 
the  train  returned,  bringing  back  the  mangled  bodies  of  those 
who  fell  in  the  ambuscade  at  Vienna. 

I  talked  with  the  wounded.  They  were  moving  slowly  up 
the  road,  —  a  regiment  '-u  platform  cars,  pushed  by  the  engine. 


SIXTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT  IN  BALTIMORE. 


1861.]  AROUND   WASHINGTON.  9 

Before  reaching  Vienna  an  old  man  stepped  out  from  the 
bushes  making  signs  and  gestures  for  them  to  stop. 

"  Don't  go.     The  Rebels  are  at  Vienna." 

"  Only  guerillas,  I  reckon,"  said  one  of  the  officers. 

General  Schenck,  who  was  in  command,  waved  his  hand  to 
the  engineer,  and  the  train  moved  on.  Suddenly  there  were 
quick  discharges  of  artillery,  a  rattling  fire  of  small  arms,  and 
unearthly  yells  from  front  and  flank,  within  an  hundred  yards. 
The  unsuspecting  soldiers  were  riddled  with  solid  shot,  can- 
ister, and  rifle-balls.  Some  tumbled  headlong,  never  to  rise 
again.  Those  who  were  uninjured  leaped  from  the  cars. 
There  was  great  confusion. 

"  Lie  down ! "  cried  some  of  the  officers. 

"  Fall  in !  "  shouted  others. 

Each  did,  for  the  moment,  what  seemed  best.  Some  of  the 
soldiers  fired  at  random,  in  the  direction  of  the  unseen  enemy. 
Some  crouched  behind  the  cars ;  others  gained  the  shelter  of 
the  woods,  where  a  line  was  formed. 

"  Why  don't  you  fall  into  line  ?  "  was  the  sharp  command 
of  an  officer  to  a  soldier  standing  beside  a  tree. 

"  I  would,  sir,  if  I  could,"  was  the  reply,  and  the  soldier  ex- 
hibited his  arm,  torn  by  a  cannon  shot. 

They  gathered  up  the  wounded,  carried  them  to  the  rear  in 
blankets,  began  their  homeward  march,  while  the  Rebels, 
eleven  hundred  strong,  up  to  this  moment  sheltered  behind  a 
woodpile,  rushed  out,  destroyed  the  cars,  and  retreated  to 
Fairfax. 

When  the  news  reached  Alexandria,  a  portion  of  the  troops 
there  were  hastily  sent  forward ;  they  had  a  weary  march. 
Morning  brought  no  breakfast,  noon  no  dinner.  A  Secessionist 
had  fled  from  his  home,  leaving  his  flocks  and  herds  behind. 
The  Connecticut  boys  appropriated  one  of  the  cows.  They 
had  no  camp  utensils,  and  were  forced  to  broil  their  steaks 
upon  the  coals.  It  was  my  first  dinner  in  the  field.  Salt  was 
lacking,  but  hunger  gave  the  meat  an  excellent  seasoning. 
For  table  and  furniture  we  had  the  head  of  a  barrel,  a  jack- 
knife,  and  a  chop-stick  cut  from  a  hazel-bush. 

Congress  assembled  on  the  4th  of  July,  and  the  members 
availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  to  visit  the  troops.     Val 


10  THE   BOYS    OF    '61.  [Juiie, 

laiidigham  of  Ohio,  who  by  word  and  act  had  manifested  his 
sympathy  for  the  Rebels,  visited  the  Second  Ohio,  commanded 
by  Colonel  McCook,  afterwards  Major-General.  I  witnessed 
the  reception  given  him  by  the  boys  of  the  Buckeye  State. 
The  officers  treated  him  courteously,  but  not  cordially.  Not 
60  the  men. 

"  There  is  that  d — d  traitor  in  camp,"  said  one,  with  flashing 
eyes. 

"  He  is  no  better  than  a  Rebel,"  said  another. 

"  He  helped  slaughter  our  boys  at  Vienna  the  other  day," 
said  a  third.- 

"  Let  us  hustle  him  out  of  camp,"  remarked  a  fourth. 

"  Don't  do  anything  rash.  Let  us  inform  him  that  his  pres- 
ence is  not  desired,"  said  one. 

A  committee  was  chosen  to  wait  upon  Vallandigham.  They 
performed  their  duty  respectfully.  He  heard  them,  and  be- 
came red  in  the  face. 

"  Do  you  thhik  that  I  am  to  be  intimidated  by  a  pack  of 
blackguards  from  northern  Ohio  ?  "  he  said.  "  I  shall  come  to 
this  camp  as  often  as  I  please,  —  every  day  if  I  choose,  —  and  I 
give  you  notice  that  I  will  have  you  taken  care  of.  I  shall 
report  your  insolence.  I  will  see  if  a  pass  from  General  Scott 
is  not  to  be  respected." 

Turning  to  the  officers,  he  began  to  inquire  the  names  of  the 
soldiers.  The  news  that  Vallandigham  was  there  had  spread 
throughout  the  camp,  and  a  crowd  was  gathering.  The  sol- 
diers were  sore  over  the  slaughter  at  Vienna,  and  began  to 
manifest  their  hatred  and  contempt  by  groans  and  hisses. 

"  If  you  expect  to  frighten  me,  you  have  mistaken  your  man. 
I  am  ashamed  of  you.  1  am  sorry  for  the  honor  of  the  State 
that  you  have  seen  fit  to  insult  me,"  he  said. 

"  Who  has  the  most  reason  to  be  ashamed,  you  of  us,  or  we 
of  you  ?  "  said  one  of  the  soldiers.  "  We  are  here  figliting  for 
our  country,  which  you  are  trying  to  destroy.  What  is 
your  shame  worth  ?  You  fired  at  us  the  otlier  day.  Ifou 
helped  kill  our  comrades.  There  is  n't  a  loyal  man  in  the 
country  whose  cheek  does  not  redden  with  sliame  whenever 
vour  name  is  mentioned,"  was  the  indignant  reply. 

Vallandigham  walked  into  the  officers'  quarters      The  sol 


1861.]  AROUND   WASHINGTON.  11 

diers  soon  had  an  effigy,  labelled  "  Yallandigham  the  traitor," 
hanging  by  the  neck  from  a  tree.  They  riddled  it  with  bullets, 
then  took  it  down  and  rode  it  on  a  rail,  the  fifers  playing  the 
"  Rogues'  March."  When  Yallandigham  left  the  camp,  they 
gave  him  a  farewell  salute  of  groans  and  hisses.  A  few  of  the 
soldiers  threw  onions  and  old  boots  at  him,  but  his  person  was 
uninjured.  He  did  not  repeat  his  visit.  He  was  so  cross-grained 
by  nature,  so  thorough  a  traitor,  that  through  the  session  of 
Congress  and  through  the  war  he  lost  no  opportunity  to  mani- 
fest his  hatred  of  the  soldiers. 

It  was  past  sunset  on  the  9th  of  July,  when,  accompanied  by 
a  friend,  I  left  Alexandria  for  Washington  in  an  open  carriage. 
Nearing  the  Long  Bridge,  an  officer  on  horseback,  in  a  red- 
flannel  blouse,  dashed  down  upon  us,  saying :  "  I  am  an  officer 
of  the  Garibaldi  Guard ;  my  regiment  has  mutinied,  and  the 
men  are  on  their  way  to  Washington !  I  want  you  to  hurry 
past  them,  give  notice  to  the  guard  at  the  Long  Bridge,  and 
have  the  draw  taken  up."  We  promised  to  do  so  if  possible, 
and  soon  came  upon  the  mutineers,  who  were  hastening  towards 
the  bridge.  They  were  greatly  excited.  They  were  talking 
loud  and  boisterously  in  German.  Their  guns  were  loaded. 
There  were  seven  nations  represented  in  the  regiment.  Few 
of  them  could  understand  English.  We  knew  that  if  we  could 
get  in  advance  of  them,  the  two  six-pounders  looking  down  the 
Long  Bridge,  with  grape  and  canister  rammed  home,  would 
quell  the  mutiny.  We  passed  those  in  the  rear,  had  almost 
reached  the  head  of  the  column,  when  out  sprang  a  dozen  in 
front  of  us  and  levelled  their  guns.  Click  —  click  —  click 
went  the  locks. 

"  You  no  goes  to  Yashington  in  ze  advance  !  "  said  one. 

"  You  falls  in  ze  rear  !  "  said  another. 

"  What  docs  this  mean  ?  "  said  my  friend,  who  was  an  officer. 
"  Where  is  your  captain  ?  "  he  asked. 

The  captain  came  up. 

"  What  right  have  your  men  to  stop  us,  sir  ?  Who  gave 
them  authority  ?  We  have  passes,  sir ;  explain  this  mat- 
ter." 

The  captain,  a  stout,  thick-set  German,  was  evidently  com- 


12  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  [J^lly, 

pletely  taken  aback  by  these  questions,  but,  after  a  moment's 
hesitation,  replied,  — 

"  No,  zur,  they  no  stops  you  ;  it  was  von  mistake,  zur.  They 
will  do  zo  no  more."  Then  approaching  close  to  the  carriage, 
he  lowered  his  voice,  and  in  a  confidential  tone,  as  if  we  were 
his  best  friends,  asked,  ''  Please,  zur,  vill  you  be  zo  kind  as  to 
tell  me  vat  is  the  passvord  ?  " 

"  It 's  not  nine  o'clock  yet.  The  sentinels  are  not  posted. 
You  need  none." 

A  tall,  big-whiskered  soldier  had  been  listening.  Ug  could 
speak  English  quite  well,  and,  evidently  desiring  to  apologize 
for  the  rudeness  of  his  comrades,  approached  and  said,  "  You 
see  we  Garibaldians  arc  having  a  time  of  it,  and  —  " 

Here  the  captain  gave  him  a  vigorous  push,  with  a  "nush!" 
long  drawn,  which  had  a  great  deal  of  meaning  in  it. 

"  I  begs  your  pardons  for  ze  interruption,"  said  the  captain, 
extending  his  hand  and  bowing  politely. 

Once  more  we  moved  on,  but  again  the  excited  leaders,  more 
furious  than  before,  thrust  their  bayonets  in  our  faces,  again 
saying,  "  You  no  goes  to  Yashington  in  ze  advance."  One 
of  them  took  deliberate  aim  at  my  breast,  his  eyes  glaring 
fiercely. 

It  would  have  been  the  height  of  madness  to  disregard  their 
demonstration.  They  had  reached  the  guard  at  the  Virginia 
end  of  the  bridge,  who,  at  a  loss  to  know  what  it  meant,  allowed 
them  to  pass  unchallenged. 

Now  that  we  were  compelled  to  follow,  there  was  time  to 
think  of  contingencies.  What  if  our  horses  had  started  ?  or 
what  if  in  the  darkness  a  soldier,  grieving  over  his  imaginary 
wrong,  and  reckless  of  life,  had  misunderstood  us  ?  or  what 
if  the  loyal  officers  of  the  regiment  remaining  at  Alexandria 
had  given  notice  by  telegraph  of  what  had  happened,  and  those 
two  cannon  at  the  Washington  end  of  the  bridge  had  poured 
their  iron  hail  and  leaden  rain  along  the  causeway  ?  It  was 
not  pleasant  to  think  of  these  possibilities,  but  we  were  in  for 
whatever  might  happen ;  and,  remembering  that  God's  provi- 
dence is  always  good  and  never  evil,  we  followed  our  escort 
over  the  bridge.  They  halted  on  the  avenue,  while  we  rode 
with  all  speed  to  General  Mansfield's  quarters. 


1861.]  AROUND   WASHINGTON.  15 

"  I  '11  have  every  one  of  the  rascals  shot ! "  said  the  gray- 
haired  veteran  commanding  the  forces  in  Washington.  An 
hour  later  the  Garibaldians  found  themselves  surrounded  by 
five  thousand  infantry.  They  laid  down  their  arms  when  they 
saw  it  was  no  use  to  resist,  were  marched  back  to  Alexandria, 
and  put  to  the  hard  drudgery  of  camp  life. 

The  soldiers  had  an  amusing  story  to  tell  of  one  of  their 
number  who  went  into  the  lager-beer  business,  the  sale  of  beer 
being  then  allowed.  A  sutler  put  a  barrel  on  tap,  and  soon 
bad  a  crowd  of  thirsty  customers.  But  the  head  of  the  barrel 
was  exposed  in  the  rear.  A  soldier  spying  it,  soon  had  that 
end  on  tap,  and  was  doing  a  thriving  business,  selling  at  five 
cents  a  glass  from  his  end  of  the  barrel.  He  had  a  constant 
run  of  custom.  "When  the  crowd  had  satisfied  their  thirst,  one 
of  the  soldiers  approached  the  sutler. 

"  What  do  you  charge  for  a  glass  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Ten  cents." 

"  Ten  cents  !  Why,  I  can  get  just  as  much  as  I  want  for 
five." 

"  Not  in  this  camp." 

"  Yes,  sir,  in  this  camp." 

"  Where,  I  should  like  to  know  ? " 

"  Right  round  here." 

The  sutler  crawled  out  from  his  tent  to  see  about  it,  and 
stood  transfixed  with  astonishment  when  he  beheld  the  opera- 
tion at  the  other  end  of  his  barrel.  He  was  received  with  a 
hearty  laugh,  while  the  ingenious  Yankee  who  was  drawing 
the  lager  had  the  impudence  to  ask  him  if  he  would  n't  take 
a  drink ! 

Virginia  was  pre-eminently  the  land  of  a  feudal  aristocracy, 
which  prided  itself  on  name  and  blood,  —  an  aristocracy  de- 
lighting to  trace  its  lineage  back  to  the  cavaliers  of  Old  Eng- 
land, and  which  looked  down  with  haughty  contempt  upon  the 
man  who  earned  his  bread  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow.  The 
original  "  gentleman"  of  Virginia  possessed  great  estates,  which 
were  not  acquired  by  thrift  and  industry,  but  received  as  grants 
through  kingly  favor.  But  a  thriftless  system  of  agriculture, 
pursued  unvaryingly  tlirough  two  centuries,  had  greatly  re- 


14  THE   BOYS    OF    '61.  [J^l^Jj 

diiced  tlic  patrimony  of  many  sons  and  daughters  of  the  cava- 
liers, who  looked  out  of  broken  windows  and  rickety  dwellings 
upon  exhausted  lands,  overgrown  with  small  oaks  and  dimin- 
utive pines.     Yet  they  clung  with  tenacity  to  their  pride. 

"  The  Yankees  are  nothing  but  old  scrubs,"  said  a  little  Vir- 
8:inia  girl  of  only  ten  years  to  me. 

A  young  lady  was  brought  to  General  Tyler's,  head-quarters 
at  Falls  Church  to  answer  a  charge  of  lia\'ing  given  informa- 
tion  to  the  enemy.  Her  dress  was  worn  and  faded,  her  shoes 
were  down  at  the  heel  and  out  at  the  toes.  There  was  nothing 
left  of  the  estate  of  her  fathers  except  a  mean  old  house  and 
one  aged  negro  slave.  She  was  reduced  to  absolute  poverty, 
yet  was  too  proud  to  work,  and  was  waited  upon  by  the  super- 
annuated negro. 

"  You  are  accused,  madam,  of  having  given  information  to 
the  enemy,"  said  General  Tyler. 

The  lady  bowed  haughtily. 

"  YoU  live  in  this  old  house  down  here  ?  " 

"  I  would  have  you  understand,  sir,  that  my  name  is  De- 
laney.  I  did  not  expect  to  be  insulted !  "  she  exclaimed,  indig- 
nantly. Words  cannot  describe  her  proud  bearing.  It  was  a 
manifestation  of  her  regard  for  blood,  gentility,  name,  and  her 
hatred  of  labor.  The  history  of  the  Rebellion  was  in  that 
reply. 

Virginia  was  also  the  land  of  sirens.  A  captain  in  a  Con- 
necticut regiment,  lured  by  the  sweet  voice  of  a  young  lady, 
went  outside  of  the  pickets  to  spend  a  pleasant  hour ;  but  sad 
denly  the  Philistines  were  upon  him,  and  he  was  a  captive. 
Delilah  mocked  him  as  he  was  led  away.  Walking  along 
the  picket  line  on  the  12th  of  July,  I  found  a  half-dozen  Con- 
Qccticut  boys  under  a  fence,  keeping  close  watch  of  Delilah's 
Qiansion. 

"  There  is  a  girl  over  there,"  said  one  of  them,  "  who  enticed 
our  captain  up  to  the  house  yesterday,  when  he  was  captured. 
Last  night  she  came  out  and  sung  a  song,  and  asked  a  lieuten- 
ant to  go  in  and  see  her  piano  and  take  tea  ;  but  he  smelt  a 
rat,  and  was  shy.  To-night  there  are  four  of  us  going  to  creep 
up  close  to  the  house,  and  he  is  going  in  to  see  the  piano." 

The  trap  was  set,  but  the  Rebels  did  not  fall  into  it. 


1861.]  AROUND  WASHINGTON.  15 

The  pickets  brought  in  a  negro,  one  of  the  first  contrabands 
^ho  came  into  the  lines  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac.  He  was 
middle-aged,  tall,  black,  and  wore  a  checked  cotton  shirt  and 
slouched  hat.  His  boots  were  as  sorry  specimens  of  old  leather 
as  ever  were  worn  by  human  beings.  He  came  up  timidly  to 
head-quarters,  guarded  by  two  soldiers.  He  made  a  low  Idow 
to  tlie  General,  not  only  with  his  head,  but  wiih  his  whole  body 
and  legs,  ending  the  salaam  with  a  scrape  of  his  left  foot,  roll- 
ing his  eyes  and  grinning  from  ear  to  ear. 

"  What  is  your  name  ?  "  asked  the  General. 

"  Sam  Allston,  sah." 

"  Who  do  you  belong  to  ?  " 

"  I  belongs  to  Massa  Allston,  sah,  from  Souf  Carolina." 

"  Where  is  your  master  ?  " 

"He  be  at  Fairfax ;  he  belong  to  Souf  Carolina  regiment, 
sah." 

"  How  came  you  here  ?  " 

"  Why,  ye  see.  General,  massa  told  me  to  go  out  and  buj 
some  chickens,  and  I  come  riglit  straight  down  here,  sah." 

"  You  did  n't  expect  to  buy  them  here,  did  you  ?  " 

"  No,  sail ;  but  I  thought  I  would  like  to  see  de  Yankees." 

"  I  reckon  I  shall  have  to  send  you  back,  Sam." 

This  was  said  not  seriously,  but  to  test  Sam's  sincerity. 

"  I  don't  want  to  go  back,  sah.  Would  n't  go  back  no  how 
if  I  could  help  it ;  rather  go  a  thousand  miles  away  up  Norf 
than  go  down  Souf,  sah.  They  knock  me  about  down  there. 
Massa  whipped  me  last  week,  for  talking  with  dc  other  niggers 
about  de  war.  0  massa,  don't  send  me  back  again  !  I  '11  do 
anything  for  you,  massa." 

He  was  the  picture  of  anguish,  and  stood  wringing  his  hands 
while  the  tears  rolled  down  his  cheeks.  Freedom,  with  all  its 
imagined  blessings,  was  before  him  ;  slavery,  with  all  its  certain 
horrors,  behind  him. 

The  General  questioned  him  about  the  Rebels. 
'  "  They  say  they  will  whip  you  Yankees.  Dere  's  right  smart 
chance  of  'em  at  Fairfax,  General  Bonliam  in  command.  Souf 
Carolina  is  kinder  mad  at  you  Yankees.  But  now  dcy  is  kinder 
waiting  for  you  to  come,  though  they  be  packing  up  their  trunks, 
as  if  getting  ready  to  move." 


lb 


THE   BOYS   OF   '61. 


LJulj-, 


All  of  his  stories  corroborated  previous  intelligence,  and  his 
information  was  of  value. 

"  Well,  Sam,  I  won't  send  you  back,"  said  the  General. 
"  You  may  go  where  you  please  about  the  camp.'* 

"  Do  Lord  God  Almighty  bless  you,  sah  !  "  was  the  joyful 
exclamation.  There  was  no  happier  man  in  the  world  than 
Sam  Allston  that  night.  He  had  found  that  which  his  soul 
most  longed  for,  —  Freedom ! 


AID    SOCIETY'S    STORE-ROOM. 


THE  IDEAL  FREEDMA^r, 


1861.]  BULL   RUN.  17 


CHAPTER    II. 

BULL    RUN. 

At  noon,  on  the  17th  of  July,  the  troops  under  General 
McDowell  took  up  their  line  of  march  toward  Fairfax,  with- 
out baggage,  carrying  three  days'  rations  in  their  haversacks. 
One  division,  under  General  Tyler,  which  had  been  encamped 
at  Falls  Church,  marched  to  Vienna,  while  the  other  divisions, 
moving  from  Alexandria,  advanced  upon  Fairfax  Court-House. 

It  was  a  grand  pageant,  the  long  column  of  bayonets  and 
high- waving  flags.  Union  men  whose  homes  were  at  Fairfax 
accompanied  the  march.  "  It  does  my  eyes  good  to  see  the 
troops  in  motion  at  last,"  said  one.  "  I  have  been  exiled 
seven  weeks.  I  know  nothing  about  my  family,  although  I 
have  been  within  a  dozen  miles  of  ttiem  all  the  time.  I 
came  from  the  North  three  years  ago.  The  Secessionists 
hated  me,  they  threatened  to  hang  me,  and  I  had  to  leave 
mighty  sudden." 

The  head  of  General  Tyler's  column  reached  Vienna  at  sun- 
set. The  infantry  turned  into  the  fields,  while  the  artillery 
took  positions  on  the  hills.  Near  the  railroad  was  a  large 
woodpile,  behind  which  the  South  Carolinians  took  shelter, 
when  they  fired  upon  the  Ohio  boys  on  the  cars.  It  was  con 
venient  for  bivouac  fires,  and  the  men  helped  themselves  will 
ingly.  There  I  received  instructions  from  Captain  Alexander, 
of  the  engineers,  an  old  campaigner  in  Mexico,  which,  during 
the  four  years  of  the  war,  I  have  never  forgotten. 

"  Always  sleep  on  the  lee  side  of  your  bivouac  fire,"  he  said. 
"The  fire  dries  the  ground,  the  heat  envelopes  you  like  a 
blanket ;  it  will  keep  off  fever  and  ague.  Better  endure  the 
discomfort  of  the  smoke,  better  look  like  a  Cmcinnati  ham, 
than  to  feel  an  ache  in  every  bone  in  the  morning,  which  you 
will  be  likely  to  feel  if  you  spread  your  blankets  an  the  winci 

2 


IB  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  L^^l-Hj, 

ward  side,  for  then  you  liave  little  benefit  of  the  heat,  but 
receive  the  full  rush  of  the  air,  which  chills  you  on  one  side, 
while  you  are  roasting  on  the  other."  It  was  wise  counsel, 
and  by  heeding  it  I  have  saved  my  bones  from  many  an  ache. 

It  was  at  this  place  that  a  very  laughable  incident  occurred. 
One  of  the  citizens  of  A^'icnna  had  a  bee-house  well  stocked 
with  hives.  A  soldier  espied  them.  He  seized  a  hive  and  ran. 
Out  came  the  bees,  buzzing  about  his  ears.  Another  soldier, 
t hulking  to  do  better,  upset  his  hive,  and  seized  the  comb,  drip- 
ping with  honey.  Being  also  hotly  besieged,  he  dropped  it, 
ran  his  hands  through  his  hair,  slapped  his  face,  swung  his 
arms,  and  fought  manfully.  Other  soldiers  seeing  what  was 
going  on,  and  anxious  to  secure  a  portion  of  the  coveted 
sweets,  came  up,  and  over  went  the  half-dozen  hives.  The  air 
was  full  of  enraged  insects,  wdiich  stung  men  and  horses  indis- 
criminately, and  which  finally  put  a  whole  regiment  to  flight. 

The  Southern  newspapers  at  this  time  were  "  firing  the 
Southern  heart,"  as  they  phrased  it,  by  picturing  the  vandal- 
ism of  the  North.  Beauregard,  on  the  5th  of  June,  at  Manas- 
sas, issued  a  manifesto  addressed  "  to  the  people  of  the  coun- 
ties of  Loudon,  Fairfax,  and  Prince  William."    Thus  it  read :  — 

"  A  reckless  and  unprincipled  tyrant  has  invaded  your  soil.  Abra- 
ham Lincoln,  regardless  of  all  moral,  legal,  and  constitutional  re- 
straints, has  thrown  his  abolition  hosts  among  you,  who  are  murdering 
and  imprisoning  your  citizens,  confiscating  and  destroying  your  prop- 
erty, and  committing  other  acts  of  violence  and  outrage  too  shocking 
and  revolting  to  humanity  to  be  enumerated. 

"  All  rules  of  civilized  warfare  are  abandoned,  and  they  proclaim  by 
their  acts,  if  not  on  their  banners,  that  their  war  cry  is  '  Beauty  and 
Booty.'  All  that  is  dear  to  man,  —  your  honor,  and  that  of  your  wives 
and  daughters,  —  your  fortunes  and  your  lives,  are  involved  in  this 
momentous  conflict." 

In  contrast  to  this  fulmination  of  falsehoods.  General  Mc- 
Dowell had  issued  an  order  on  the  2d  of  June,  three  days  pre- 
vious, directing  officers  to  transmit  statements  on  the  following 
points :  — 

"  First.  The  quantity  of  land  taken  possession  of  for  the  several 
!ield-works,  and  the  kind  and  value  of  the  crops  growing  thereon,  if 
any.     Second,  The  quantity  of  land  used  for  the  several  encampments. 


1861.]  BULL  RUN.  19 

and  the  kind  and  value  of  the  growing  crops,  if  any.  Third.  The 
number,  size,  and  character  of  the  buildings  appropriated  to  public  pur- 
poses. Fourth.  The  quantity  and  value  of  trees  cut  down.  Fifth.  The 
kind  and  extent  of  fencing  destroyed.  These  statements  will,  as  far  as 
possible,  give  the  value  of  the  property  taken,  or  of  the  damage  sus 
tained,  and  the  name  or  names  of  the  owners."* 

A  portion  of  the  troops  bivouacked  in  an  oat-ficld,  where 
the  grain  was  standing  in  shocks,  and  some  of  the  artillerymen 
appropriated  the  convenient  forage. 

The  owner  was  complaining  bitterly  of  the  devastations. 
"  They  have  taken  my  grain,  and  I  want  my  pay  for  it,"  he 
said  to  me. 

"  Are  you  a  Union  man  ?  '*  I  asked. 

"  I  was  for  the  Union  till  Virginia  seceded,  and  of  course 
had  to  go  with  her  ;  but  whether  I  am  a  Union  man  or  not,  the 
government  is  bound  to  respect  private  property,"  he  replied. 

At  that  moment  General  Tyler  rode  past. 

"  Say,  General,  ain't  you  going  to  pay  me  for  my  property 
which  your  soldiers  destroyed  ?  " 

"  There  is  my  quartermaster ;  he  will  settle  it  with  you." 

The  man  received  a  voucher  for  whatever  had  been  taken. 
The  column  took  up  its  line  of  march,  passed  through  a  narrow 
belt  of  woods,  and  reached  a  hill  from  which  Fairfax  Court- 
House  was  in  full  view.  A  Rebel  flag  was  waving  over  the 
town.  There  were  two  pieces  of  Rebel  artillery  in  a  field,  a 
dozen  wagons  in  park,  squads  of  soldiers  in  sight,  horsemen 
galloping  in  all  directions.  Nearer,  in  a  meadow  was  a  squad- 
ron of  cavalry  on  picket.  I  stood  beside  Captain  (since  Gen- 
eral) Hawley  of  Connecticut,  commanding  the  skirmishers. 

"  Let  me  take  your  Sharpe's  rifle,"  said  he  to  a  soldier.  IIo 
rested  it  on  the  fence,  ran  his  eye  along  the  barrel,  and  fired. 
The  nearest  Rebel  horseman,  half  a  mile  distant,  slipped  from 
his  horse  in  an  instant,  and  fell  upon  the  ground.  It  was  the 
first  shot  fired  by  the  grand  army  on  the  march  towards  Ma- 
nassas. Tlie  other  troopers  put  spurs  to  their  horses  and  fled 
towards  Fairfax,  where  a  sudden  commotion  was  visible. 

"  The  Rebels  are  in  force  just  ahead  !  "  said  an  oflicor  who 
had  advanced  a  short  distance  into  the  woods. 

*  McDowell's  Order. 


20  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Jlllj* 

"  First  and  second  pieces  into  position,"  said  Captain  Varian, 
commanding  a  New  York  battery.  The  liorses  leaped  ahead, 
and  in  a  moment  the  two  pieces  were  pointing  toward  Fairfax. 
The  future  liistorian,  or  the  traveller  wandering  over  the  bat- 
tle-fields of  the  Rebellion,  who  may  be  curious  to  know  where 
the  first  cannon-shots  were  fired,  will  find  the  locality  at  Flint 
Hill,  at  that  time  the  site  of  a  small  school-house.  The  cannon 
were  on  either  side  of  the  building. 

"  Load  with  shell,"  was  the  order,  and  the  cartridges  went 
home  in  an  instant. 

Standing  behind  the  pieces  and  looking  directly  along  the 
road  under  the  shadow  of  the  overliauging  trees,  I  could  see 
the  Rebels  in  a  hollow  beyond  a  farm-house.  The  slicUs  went 
screaming  towards  them,  and  in  an  instant  they  disappeared, 
running  into  the  woods,  casting  away  blankets,  haversacks,  and 
other  equipments. 

The  column  moved  on.  The  occupants  of  the  house  met  us 
with  joyful  countenances.  The  good  woman,  formerly  from 
New  Jersey,  brought  out  a  pan  of  milk,  at  which  we  took  a  long 
pull. 

"  I  can't  take  pay ;  it  is  pay  enough  to  sec  your  countenan- 
ces," she  said. 

Turning  from  Fairfax  road  the  troops  moved  toward  Gcr- 
mantown,  north  of  Fairfax,  —  a  place  of  six  miserable  huts, 
over  one  of  which  the  Confederate  flag  was  flying.  Bonham's 
brigade  of  South  Carolinians  was  there.  Ayer's  battery  gal- 
loped into  position.  A  shell  was  sent  among  them.  They 
were  about  leaving,  having  been  ordered  to  retreat  by  Beaure- 
gard. The  shell  accelerated  their  movements.  Camp  equi- 
page, barrels  of  flour,  clothing,  entrenching  tools,  were  left 
behind,  and  we  made  ourselves  merry  over  their  running. 

Those  were  the  days  of  romance.  War  was  a  pastime,  a  pic- 
nic, an  agreeable  diversion. 

A  gray-haired  old  negro  came  out  from  his  cabin,  rolling  hi? 
eyes  and  gazing  at  the  Yankees. 

"  Have  you  seen  any  Rebels  this  morning  ?  "  wc  asked. 

"  Gosh  a'mighty,  massa !  Dey  was  here  as  tliick  as  bees,  ges 
*forc  you  cum ;  but  when  dat  ar  bumshell  cum  screaming 
among  *em,  dey  ran  as  if  de  Ole  Harry  was  after  'cm." 


1861.]  BULL  RUN.  21 

All  of  iliis,  th(3  flight  of  tlic  Rebels,  the  negro's  story,  wa& 
exhilarating  to  the  troops,  who  more  than  ever  felt  that  the 
march  to  Richmond  was  going  to  be  a  nice  affair. 

On  the  morning  of  the  18tli  the  head  of  the  column  entered 
Centreville,  once  a  thrifty  place,  where  travellers  from  the 
western  counties  found  convenient  rest  on  their  journeys  to 
Washington  and  Alexandria.  Its  vitality  was  gone.  The 
houses  were  old  and  poor.  Although  occupying  one  of  the 
most  picturesque  situations  in  the  world,  it  was  in  the  last 
stages  of  decay. 

A  German  met  us  with  a  welcome.  Negro  women  peeped  at 
us  through  the  chinks  of  the  walls  where  the  clay  liad  fallen 
out.  At  a  large  two-story  house,  which  in  former  days  re 
fleeted  the  glory  of  the  Old  Dominion,  sat  a  man  far  gone  with 
consumption.  He  had  a  pitiful  story  to  tell  of  his  losses  by 
the  Rebels. 

Here  we  saw  the  women  of  Centreville,  so  accomplished  in 
the  practice  of  snuff'-dipping,  filling  their  teeth  and  gums  with 
enuff,  and  passing  round  the  cup  with  one  swab  for  the  com- 
pany ! 

Richardson's  brigade  turned  towards  Blackburn's  ford. 
Suddenly  there  was  a  booming  of  artillery,  followed  by  a  sharp 
skirmish,  which  Beauregard  in  his  Report  calls  the  first  battle 
of  Manassas.  This  was  in  distinction  from  tliat  fought  on  the 
21st,  which  is  generally  known  as  the  battle  of  Bull  Run. 

It  was  a  reconnoissance  on  the  part  of  General  Tyler  to  feel 
the  position  of  the  enemy.  It  might  have  been  conducted  more 
adroitly,  without  sacrifice.  Under  cover  of  skirmishers  and 
artillery,  their  positions  would  have  been  ascertained  ;  no  doubt 
their  batteries  could  have  been  carried  if  suitable  arrange- 
ments had  been  made.  But  the  long  cannonading  brought 
down  hosts  of  reinforcements  from  Manassas.  And  when  too 
late,  three  or  four  regiments  were  ordered  down  to  the  support 
of  the  Union  troops. 

The  First  Massachusetts  received  the  hottest  of  the  fire.  One 
soldier  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight  was  shot ;  he  passed  his 
musket  to  his  comrade,  saying,  "  It  is  all  right,  Bill,"  and  im- 
mediately expired.  The  soldier  standing  next  to  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Wells,  received  two  shots  in  his  arm.     He  handed  his 


215  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  [July, 

gun  to  the  Colonel,  saying,  "  Hero,  I  can't  use  it ;  take  it  and 
use  it/'  A  great  many  of  the  soldiers  had  their  clothes  shot 
through.  One  had  three  balls  in  his  coat,  but  came  out  un- 
harmed. 

As  it  is  not  intended  that  this  volume  sliall  be  a  history  of 
the  war,  but  rather  a  panorama  of  it,  we  must  pass  briefly  in 
review  the  first  great  battle  of  the  war  at  Bull  Run,  and  the 
flight  to  Washington. 

The  day  was  calm  and  peaceful.  Everywhere  save  upon  the 
heights  of  Centreville  and  the  plains  of  Manassas  it  was  a  day 
of  rest. 

"  I  *11  tell  you  what  I  heard  that  day,  — 
I  heard  the  great  guns  far  away, 
Boom  after  boom  1  ** 

Long  before  sunrise  the  troops  of  the  attacking  column  rose 
from  their  bivouac  and  moved  away  towards  the  west.  The  sun 
had  but  just  risen  when  Benjamin's  batteries  were  thundering 
at  Blackburn's  ford,  and  Tyler  was  pressing  upon  tlie  Stone 
Bridge.  It  was  past  eight  o'clock  before  the  first  light  ripple 
of  musketry  was  heard  at  Sudley  Springs,  where  Burnside  was 
turning  the  left  flank  of  the  Rebels.  Then  came  tlie  opening 
of  the  cannonade  and  the  increasing  roar  as  regiment  after  regi- 
ment fell  into  line,  and  moved  southward,  through  the  thickets 
of  pine.  Sharp  and  clear  above  the  musketry  rose  the  clieers 
of  the  combatants. 

"  If  you  whip  us,  you  will  lick  ninety  thousand  men.  We 
have  Johnston's  army  with  us.  Johnston  came  yesterday,  and 
a  lot  more  from  Richmond,"  said  a  prisoner,  boastfully. 

Onward  pressed  the  Union  troops,  success  attending  their 
arms.  The  battle  was  going  in  our  favor.  It  was  a  little 
past  three  o'clock,  when,  standing  by  the  broken-down  stone 
bridge  which  the  Rebels  had  destroyed,  I  had  a  full  view  of 
the  action  going  on  near  Mrs.  Henry's  house.  The  field  be- 
yond the  Rebel  line  was  full  of  stragglers. 

A  correspondent  of  the  Charleston  Mercury  thus  writes  of 
the  aspect  of  affairs  in  the  Rebel  lines  at  that  moment :  — 

"  When  I  entered  the  field  at  two  o'clock  the  fortunes  of  the  day  were 
dark.  The  regiments  so  badly  injured,  or  wounded  and  worn,  as  they 
staggered  out  gave  gloomy  pictures  of  the  scene.     We  could  not  be 


LADIES    VVOKKINQ    FOR    THE    AKMY. 


1861.]  BULL  RUN.  23 

routed,  perhaps,  but  it  is  doubtful  whether  we  were  destined  to  a 
victory." 

"  All  seemed  about  to  be  lost,"  wrote  the  correspondent  of 
the  Richmond  Dispatch.  There  was  a  dust-cloud  in  the  west. 
I  saw  it  rising  over  the  distant  woods,  approaching  nearer  each 
moment.  A  few  moments  later  the  fatal  mistake  of  Major 
Barry  was  made.*  Griflin  and  Ricketts  could  have  over- 
whelmed the  newly  arrived  troops,  less  than  three  regiments, 
with  canister.  But  it  was  not  so  to  be.  One  volley  from  the 
Rebels,  and  the  tide  of  affairs  was  reversed ;  and  the  Union 
army,  instead  of  being  victor,  was  vanquished. 

A  few  moments  before  tlie  disaster  by  Mrs.  Ilenry's  house,  1 
walked  past  General  Schenck's  brigade,  w^hich  ^vas  standing  in 
the  road  a  few  rods  east  of  the  bridge.  A  Rebel  battery  beyond 
the  run  was  throwing  shells,  one  of  which  ploughed  through 
the  Second  Ohio,  mangling  two  soldiers,  sprinkling  their  warm 
blood  upon  the  greensward. 

While  drinking  at  a  spring,  there  was  a  sudden  uproar,  a 
rattling  of  musketry,  and  one  or  two  discharges  of  artillery. 
Soldiers  streamed  past,  throwing  away  their  guns  and  equip- 
ments. Ayer's  battery  dashed  down  the  turnpike.  A  baggage 
wagon  was  hurled  into  the  ditch  in  a  twinkling.  A  hack  from 
Washington,  which  had  brouglit  out  a  party  of  Congressmen, 
was  splintered  to  kindlings.  Drivers  cut  their  horses  loose  and 
fled  in  precipitate  haste.  Instinct  is  quick  to  act.  There  was 
no  time  to  deliberate,  or  to  obtain  information.  A  swift  pace 
for  a  half-mile  placed  me  beyond  Cub  Run,  w^here,  stand hig 
on  a  knoll,  I  had  a  good  opportunity  to  survey  tlie  sight,  pain- 
ful, yet  ludicrous  to  behold.  The  soldiers,  as  they  crossed  the 
stream,  regained  their  composure  and  fell  into  a  walk.  But 
the  panic  like  a  wave  rolled  over  Centreville  to  Fairfax.  The 
teamsters  of  the  immense  wagon  train  threw  bags  of  coffee  and 
corn,  barrels  of  beef  and  pork,  and  boxes  of  bread,  upon  the 
ground,  and  fled  in  terror  towards  Alexandria.  The  fright  was 
soon  over.  The  lines  at  Centreville  were  in  tolerable  order 
when  I  left  that  place  at  five  o'clock. 

Experience  is  an  excellent  teacher,  though  the  tuition  is 
Bometimes  expensive.     There  has  been  no  repetition  of  the 

♦  See  "  DayH  and  Nights  on  the  Battle-Field,"  p.  58. 


24  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [July, 

scenes  of  til  at  afternoon  during  the  war.  The  lesson  was  salu 
tary.  Tlic  Rebels  on  several  occasions  had  the  same  difliculty. 
At  Fair  Oaks,  Glcndale,  and  Malvern  we  now  know  how  greatly 
demoralized  they  became.  No  troops  are  exempt  from  the 
liability  of  a  panic.  Old  players  are  not  secure  from  stage 
fright.  The  coolest  surgeon  cannot  always  control  his  nerves. 
Tlic  soldiers  of  the  Union  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  were  not 
cowards.  They  fought  resolutely.  The  contest  was  sustained 
from  early  in  the  morning  till  three  in  the  afternoon.  The 
troops  had  marched  from  Centreville.  The  heat  had  been  in- 
tense. Their  breakfast  was  eaten  at  one  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
hig.  Tliey  were  hungry  and  parched  with  thirst,  yet  they 
pushed  the  Rebels  back  from  Sudley  Springs,  past  the  turn- 
pike to  the  hill  by  Mrs.  Henry's. 

There  is  abundant  evidence  that  the  Rebels  considered  the 
day  as  lost,  when  Kirby  Smith  arrived. 

Says  the  writer  in  the  Richmond  Dispatch^  alluded  to 
above :  — 

"  They  pressed  our  left  flank  for  several  hours  with  terrible  effect, 
but  our  men  flinched  not  till  their  numbers  had  been  so  diminished  by 
the  well-aimed  and  steady  volleys  that  they  were  compelled  to  give 
way  for  new  regiments.  The  Seventh  and  Eighth  Georgia  Regiments 
are  said  to  have  suflcred  heavily. 

"  Between  two  and  three  o'clock  larf^e  numbers  of  men  were  leaving 
the  field,  some  of  them  wounded,  others  exhausted  by  the  long  struggle, 
who  gave  us  gloomy  reports ;  but  as  the  fire  on  both  sides  continued 
steadily,  we  felt  sure  that  our  brave  Southerners  had  not  been  con- 
quered by  the  overwhelming  hordes  of  the  North.  It  is,  however,  duo 
to  truth  to  say  that  the  result  of  this  hour  hung  trembling  in  the  bal-, 
ance.  We  had  lost  numbers  of  our  most  distinguished  officers.  Gen- 
erals Bartow  and  Bee  had  been  stricken  down ;  Lieu  tenant- Colonel 
Johnson  of  the  Hampton  Legion  had  been  killed;  Colonel  Hampton 
had  been  wounded. 

**Your  correspondent  heard  General  Johnson  exclaim  to  General 
Cocke  just  at  the  critical  moment,  '  O  for  four  regiments ! '  His  wish 
was  answered,  for  in  the  distance  our  reinforcements  appeared.  The 
tide  of  battle  was  turned  in  our  favor  by  tlie  arrival  of  General  Kirby 
Smith  from  Winchester,  with  four  thousand  men  of  General  Johnson's 
division.  General  Smith  heard  while  on  the  Manassas  Railroad  cars 
the  roar  of  battle.     He  stopped  the  train,  and  hurried  his  troops  acrof » 


1861.]  BULL  RUN.  25 

the  field  to  the  point  just  where  he  was  most  needed.  They  were  at 
first  supposed  to  be  the  enemy,  their  arrival  at  that  point  of*  the  field 
being  entirely  xmexpected.  The  enemy  fell  back  and  a  panic  seized 
them." 

Smith  had  about  seventeen  hundred  men  instead  of  four 
thousand,  but  he  came  upon  the  field  in  such  a  manner,  that 
some  of  the  Union  officers  supposed  it  was  a  portion  of  McDow- 
ell's troops.  Smith  was  therefore  permitted  to  take  a  flaL^king 
position  within  close  musket-shot  of  Rickett's  and  Griffin's  bat- 
teries unmolested.  One  volley,  and  the  victory  was  changed 
to  defeat.  Through  chance  alone  it  seemed,  but  really  through 
Providence,  the  Rebels  won  the  field.  The  cavalry  charge,  of 
which  so  much  was  said  at  the  time,  was  a  feeble  affiiir.  The 
panic  began  the  moment  that  Smith  opened  upon  Ricketts  and 
Griffin.  The  cavalry  did  not  advance  till  the  army  was  in  full 
retreat. 

It  is  laughable  to  read  the  accounts  of  the  battle  published 
in  the  Southern  papers.  The  Richmond  Dispatch  has  a  letter 
written  from  Manassas  23d  July,  which  has  throughout  evi- 
dences of  candor,  and  yet  this  writer  says,  "  We  have  captured 
sixty-seven  pieces  of  artillery,"  while  we  had  only  thirty-eight 
guns  on  the  field.  Most  necromancers  have  the  ability  to  pro- 
duce hens'  eggs  without  number  from  a  mysterious  bag,  but 
how  they  could  capture  sixty-seven  pieces  of  cannon,  when 
McDowell  had  but  thirty-eight,  is  indeed  remarkable.  The 
same  writer  asserts  that  we  carried  into  action  the  Palmetto 
State  and  the  Confederate  flags. 

Here  is  the  story  of  a  wonderful  cannon-ball.  Says  the 
writer :  "  A  whole  regiment  of  the  enemy  appeared  in  sight, 
going  at  double-quick  down  the  Centreville  road.  Major  Wal- 
ton immediately  ordered  another  shot.  With  the  aid  of  our. 
glass  we  could  see  them  about  two  miles  off.  There  was  no 
obstruction,  and  the  whole  front  of  the  regiment  was  exposed. 
One  half  were  seen  to  fall,  and  if  General  Johnston  had  not  at 
that  moment  sent  an  order  to  cease  firing,  nearly  the  whole 
regiment  would  have  been  killed  !  "  The  half  that  did  not  fall 
ought  to  be  grateful  to  Major  Walton  for  not  firing  a  second 
shot.  The  writer  says  in  conclusion  :  "  Thus  did  fifteen  thou- 
sand men,  with  eighteen  pieces  of  artillery,  drive  back  inglori 


26  THE    BOYS    OF    '61.  l^^^Jy 

ously  a  force  exceeding  thirty-five  thousand,  supported  by  nearly 
one  hundred  pieces  of  cannon.  We  have  captured  nine  hun- 
dred prisoners,  sixty-seven  pieces  of  cannon,  Armstrong  guns 
and  rifled  cannon,  hundreds  of  wagons,  loads  of  provisions  and 
ammunition." 

One  writer  asserted  that  thirty-two  thousand  pairs  of  hand- 
cuffs were  taken,  designed  for  Rebel  prisoners  !  This  absurd 
statement  was  believed  throughout  the  South.  In  January, 
1862,  while  in  Kentucky,  I  met  a  Southern  lady  who  de- 
clared that  it  must  be  true,  for  she  had  seen  a  pair  of  the 
handcuffs  ! 

The  war  on  the  part  of  the  North  was  undertaken  to  uphold 
the  Constitution  and  the  Union,  but  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  set 
men  to  thinking.  Four  days  after  the  battle,  in  Washington  1 
met  one  who  all  his  lifetime  had  been  a  Democrat,  stand- 
ing stanchly  by  the  South  till  the  attack  on  Sumter.  Said 
he :  "  I  go  for  liberating  the  niggers.  Wc  arc  fighting  on  a 
false  issue.  The  negro  is  at  the  bottom  of  the  trouble.  The 
South  is  fighting  for  the  negro,  and  nothing  else.  They  use 
him  to  defeat  us,  and  wc  shall  be  compelled  to  use  him  to 
defeat  them." 

These  sentiments  were  gaining  ground.  General  Butler  had 
retained  the  negroes  who  came  into  his  camp,  calling  them 
"  contraband  of  war."  Men  were  beginning  to  discuss  the 
propriety  of  not  only  retaining,  but  of  seizing,  the  slaves  of  those 
who  were  in  arms  agauist  the  government.  The  Rebels  were 
using  them  in  the  construction  of  fortifications.  Why  not  place 
them  in  the  category  with  gunpowder,  horses,  and  cattle  ?  The 
reply  was,  "  We  must  respect  the  Union  people  of  the  South." 
But  where  were  the  Union  people  ? 

There  were  some  in  Western  Virginia,  Kentucky,  Tennessee, 
and  lilissouri ;  but  very  few  in  Eastern  Virginia.  At  Centre- 
ville  there  was  one  man  in  the  seedy  village  who  said  he  was 
for  the  Union :  he  was  a  German.  At  a  farm-house  just  out 
of  the  village,  I  found  an  old  New-Yorker,  who  was  for  the 
Union ;  but  the  mass  of  the  people,  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren, liad  fled,  —  their  minds  poisoned  with  tales  of  the  brutal- 
ity of  Northern  soldiers.  The  mass  of  the  people  bore  toward 
their  few  neighbors,  who  still  stood  for  the  Union,  a  most  iin- 


1861.]  BULL   RUN.  27 

placable  hatred.  I  recall  the  woebegone  look  which  over- 
spread tlie  countenance  of  a  good  woman  at  Vienna  on  Sunday 
niglit,  when,  as  she  gave  me  a  draught  of  milk,  I  made  a  plain, 
candid  statement  of  tlie  disaster  wliich  had  befallen  our  army. 
Ucr  husband  had  been  a  friend  to  the  Federal  army,  had 
given  up  his  house  for  officers'  quarters ;  had  sulTcred  at  the 
liands  of  the  Rebels  ;  had  once  been  obliged  to  flee,  leaving 
his  wife  and  family  of  six  children,  all  of  tender  age,  and  the 
prospect  was  gloomy.  lie  had  gone  to  bed,  to  forget  in  sleep, 
if  possible,  the  crushing  blow.  It  was  near  midiiiglit,  but  the 
wife  and  mother  could  not  sleep.  She  was  awake  to  every 
approacliing  footstep,  heard  every  sound,  knowing  that  within 
a  stone's  tlu'ow  of  the  dwelling  there  were  those,  in  former 
times  fast  friends,  who  now  would  be  among  the  fu'st  to  hoiuid 
her  and  lier  little  ones  from  the  place ;  and  why  ?  because  they 
loved  tlie  Union ! 

What  had  produced  this  bitterness?  There  could  be  but 
one  answer,  —  Slavery.  It  was  clear  that,  sooner  or  later,  the 
war  would  become  one  of  emancipation,  —  freedom  to  the 
slave  of  every  man  found  in  arms  against  the  government,  or 
in  any  way  aiding  or  abetting  treason.  IIow  seductive,  how 
tyrannical  this  same  monster  Slavery ! 

Tlu'ce  years  before  the  war,  a  young  man,  born  and  edu 
cated  among  the  mountains  of  Berkshire  County,  Massachu 
setts,  graduating  at  Williams  College,  visited  Washington,  and 
called  upon  Mr.  Dawes,  member  of  Congress  from  ^lassaclui- 
setts,  to  obtain  his  influence  in  securing  a  position  at  the 
South  as  a  teacher.  Mr.  Dawes  knew  tlie  young  man,  son 
of  a  citizen  of  high  standing,  respected  not  only  as  a  citizen, 
but  in  the  highest  branch  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  in 
former  times,  and  gladly  gave  his  influence  to  obtain  th.e 
situation.  A  few  days  after  the  battle  Mr.  Dawes  visited 
the  Old  Capitol  prison  to  see  the  prisoners  which  had  been 
brought  in.  To  his  surprise  he  found  among  tliem  the  young 
man  from  Berkshire,  wearing  the  uniform  of  a  Rebel. 

"  How  could  you  find  it  in  your  lieart  to  fight  against  tho 
flag  of  your  country,  to  turn  your  back  upon  your  native  State, 
and  the  institutions  under  which  you  have  been  trained?" 
he  asked. 


28  THE   BOYS   OF   '61  [July, 

"I  didn't  want  to  fight  against  the  flag,  but  I  was  com 
polled  to." 

"  How  compelled  ?  " 

"  Why,  you  see,  they  knew  I  was  from  tlie  North ;  and  if  1 
had  n't  enlisted,  the  ladies  would  have  presented  mo  with  a 
petticoat." 

He  expressed  himself  averse  to  taking  the  oath  of  alio 
giance.  It  was  only  when  alhision  was  made  to  his  parents 
—  the  poignant  grief  which  would  all  but  break  his  mother's 
heart,  were  she  to  hear  of  him  as  a  soldier  in  the  traitors 
lines,  —  that  he  gave  way,  and  his  eyes  filled  witli  tears 
He  could  turn  against  his  country,  his  State,  the  institutions 
of  freedom,  because  his  heart  was  in  the  Soutli,  because  lit 
had  dreaded  the  finger  of  scorn  which  would  liave  cowed  him 
with  a  petticoat,  but  he  could  not  blot  out  the  influence  of  a 
mother's  love,  a  mother's  patriotism.  lie  had  not  lived  long 
enough  under  the  hot  breath  of  the  simoom  to  have  all  the 
early  associations  withered  and  crisped.  The  mention  of 
"mother"  made  him  a  child  again. 

With  him  was  another  Massachusetts  man,  who  had  beci 
South  many  years,  and  who  was  more  intensely  Southern  than 
himself.  Another  young  man,  a  South  Carolinian,  was  a  law 
student  in  Harvard  College  when  his  State  seceded.  He  went 
home  to  enlist.  "  If  it  had  not  been  for  the  war  I  should  now 
be  taking  my  degree,"  said  he.  He  was  rejoicing  over  the 
result  of  the  battle. 

Slavery  is  not  only  tyrannical,  but  it  is  corrupting  to  morals. 
The  Secessionists  of  St.  Josepli,  Missouri,  in  their  eagerness  to 
precipitate  a  Kansas  regiment  to  destruction,  burned  a  bridge 
on  the  Hannibal  and  St.  Joseph  Railroad,  a  few  miles  east  of 
St.  Joseph.  The  train  left  the  city  at  three  o'clock  in  the 
mornhig,  and  reached  the  bridge  before  daybreak.  Tlie  reg- 
iment was  not  on  board,  and  instead  of  destroying  a  thousand 
Union  soldiers,  a  large  number  of  the  citizens  of  St.  Joseph,  — 
with  women  and  children,  friends  and  neighbors  of  the  Seces- 
Bionists,  —  were  plunged  into  the  abyss  ! 

The  action  of  these  ^lissouri  barbarians  was  applauded  by 
the  Secessionists  of  Washington.  A  friend  came  into  my  room 
late  one  evening  in  great  excitement. 


1861.] 


BULL  BUN. 


129 


''  What  is  the  matter  ?  " 

"  I  am  sick  at  heart,"  said  he,  "  at  what  I  have  heard. 
I  called  upon  some  of  my  female  acquaintances  to-night.  I 
knew  that  they  were  Secessionists,  but  did  not  think  that  they 
were  so  utterly  corrupt  as  I  find  them  to  be.  They  are  re- 
fined, intelligent,  and  have  moved  in  the  first  society  of  Wash- 
ington. They  boldly  declared  that  it  was  justifiable  to  destroy 
that  railroad  train  in  Missouri ;  that  it  is  right  to  poison 
wells,  or  violate  oaths  of  allegiance,  to  help  on  the  cause  of 
the  South !  " 

The  bitterness  of  the  women  of  the  South  during  the  Rebel- 
lion is  a  strange  phenomenon,  without  a  parallel  in  history. 
For  the  women  of  Ireland,  who  in  the  rebellion  of  '98  cut  off 
the  heads  of  English  residents,  and  chopped  up  their  victims 
by  piecemeal,  were  from  the  bogs  and  fens,  —  one  remove  only 
from  the  beasts  ;  but  these  Avomcn  of  the  South  lay  claims  to 
a  superior  culture.  It  is  one  thing  to  be  devoted  heart  and 
soul  to  a  cause,  but  it  is  quite  anotlier  to  advance  it  at  the  cost 
of  civilization,  Cliristianity,  and  the  womanly  virtues. 

The  assertion  that  all  women  of  the  South  thus  gave  them- 
selves over  to  do  wickedly,  would  be  altogether  too  sweeping  ; 
a  large  portion  may  bo  included.  Mrs.  Grcenliow  and  Belle 
Boyd  have  written  out  some  of  their  exploits  and  machinations 
for  the  overthrow  of  the  Union.  Witli  tliem,  a  false  oath  or 
any  measure  of  deceit,  was  praiseworthy,  if  it  would  but  aid 
the  Secession  cause.  They  are  fair  representatives  of  tiie 
females  of  the  South. 


80  THE  BOYS   OF   '61.  fOct 


CHAPTER    III. 

THE    FALL    OF    1861. 

The  months  of  August  and  September  passed  away  without 
any  action  on  the  part  of  General  McClellan,  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

The  disaster  at  Ball's  Bluff  occurred  on  the  21st  of  October, 
just  three  months  after  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  On  the  after- 
noon of  the  22d  the  news  was  whispered  in  Washington. 
Riding  at  once  with  a  fellow-correspondent,  Mr.  IT.  M.  Smith 
of  the  Chicago  Tribune,  to  General  McClellan's  head-quarters, 
and  entering  the  anteroom,  we  found  President  Lincoln  there. 
I  had  met  him  on  several  occasions,  and  he  was  well  acquaint- 
ed with  my  friend.  He  greeted  us  cordially,  but  sat  down 
quickly,  rested  his  head  upon  his  hand,  and  seemed  to  be  un- 
usually agitated.  His  eyes  were  sunken,  his  countenance  hag- 
gard, his  wliole  demeanor  that  of  one  who  was  in  trouble. 

"  Will  you  please  step  in  here,  Mr.  President,''  said  an  or- 
derly from  an  adjoining  room,  from  wlience  came  the  click  of 
the  telegraph.  He  soon  came  out,  with  his  hands  clasped  upon 
his  breast,  his  head  bowed,  his  body  bent  as  if  he  were  carrying 
a  great  burden.  He  took  no  notice  of  any  one,  but  with  down- 
cast eyes  and  faltering  steps  passed  into  the  street  and  towards 
the  Executive  mansion. 

"  We  have  met  with  a  sad  disaster.  Fifteen  hundred  men 
lost,  and  Colonel  Baker  killed,"  said  General  Marcy. 

It  was  that  which  had  overwhelmed  the  President.  Colonel 
Baker  was  his  personal  friend.  They  had  long  been  intimately 
acquainted.  In  speaking  of  that  event  afterwards,  Mr.  Lincolb 
said  that  it  smote  him  like  a  whirlwind  in  a  desert.  Few  men 
have  been  appointed  of  God  to  bear  such  burdens  as  were  laid 
upon  President  Lincoln.  A  distracted  country,  a  people  at 
war,  all  the  foundations  of  society  broken  up  ;  the  cares,  trials, 


1861.]  THE  FALL   OF  1861.  31 

and  perplexities  wliich  camo  every  day  without  cessation,  dis- 
aster upon  disaster,  the  loss  of  those  he  loved,  —  Ellsworth, 
Baker,  and  his  own  darling  Willie.  A  visitor  at  the  White 
House  the  day  of  Ellsworth's  death  found  him  in  tears. 

"  I  will  make  no  apology,  gentlemen,"  said  he,  "  for  my 
weakness  ;  but  I  knew  poor  Ellsworth  well,  and  held  him  in 
great  regard.  Just  as  you  entered  the  room.  Captain  Fox  left 
me,  after  giving  me  the  painful  details  of  Ellsworth's  unfortunate 
death.  The  event  was  so  unexpected,  and  the  recital  so  touch- 
ing, that  it  quite  unmanned  me.  Poor  fellow,"  he  added,  "  it 
was  undoubtedly  a  rash  act,  but  it  only  shows  the  heroic  spirit 
that  animates  our  soldiers,  from  high  to  low,  in  this  righteous 
cause  of  ours.  Yet  who  can  restrain  grief  to  see  them  fall  in 
such  a  way  as  this,  —  not  by  the  fortunes  of  war,  but  by  the  hand 
of  an  assassin  ?  " 

The  first  time  I  ever  saw  Mr.  Lincoln  was  the  day  after  Iul 
nomination  by  the  Chicago  Convention.  I  accompanied  the 
committee  appointed  to  inform  him  of  the  action  of  the  Con- 
vention to  Springfield.  It  was  sunset  when  we  reached  the 
plain,  unpretentious  two-story  dwelling,  —  his  Spnngfield  home. 
Turning  to  the  left  as  we  entered  the  hall,  and  passing  into  the 
library,  we  stood  in  the  presence  of  a  tall  man,  with  large  fea- 
tures, great,  earnest  eyes,  a  countenance  which,  once  looked 
upon,  forever  remembered.  He  received  the  committee  with 
dignity  and  yet  with  evident  constraint  of  manner.  The  ad- 
dress of  Mr.  Ashmun,  chairman  of  the  committee,  was  brief, 
and  so  was  Mr.  Lincoln's  reply.  Then  followed  a  general  in- 
troduction of  the  party. 

There  was  a  pitcher  of  ice-water  and  goblets  on  a  stand,  but 
there  were  no  liquors.  The  next  morning  a  citizen  narrated 
the  following  incident. 

When  the  telegraph  informed  Mr.  Lincoln's  neighbors  that 
the  committee  were  on  their  way,  a  few  of  his  friends  called 
upon  him  to  make  arrangements  for  their  reception. 

"  You  must  have  some  refreshments  prepared,"  said  they. 

"  0  certainly,  certainly.     What  shall  I  get  ?  " 

"  You  will  want  some  brandy,  whiskey,  wines,  <fec." 

"  I  can't  do  that,  gentlemen.  I  never  have  kept  liquors,  and 
£  can't  get  them  now." 


32  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  ["Oct 

"  Well,  we  will  supply  them." 

"  No,  gentlemen,  I  can't  permit  you  to  do  what  I  would  not 
do  myself.  I  will  furnish  good  water  and  enough  of  it,  but  no 
liquors." 

He  adhered  to  his  decision;  and  thus  at  the  beginning  of 
the  contest  gave  an  exhibition  of  tliat  resoluteness  of  character, 
that  determination  of  will  to  adhere  to  what  he  felt  was  right, 
which  was  of  such  inestimable  value  to  the  nation,  in  carrying 
the  cause  of  the  Union  triumphantly  through  all  the  dark  days 
of  the  Rebellion. 

It  was  sunset  when  Mr.  Smith  and  myself  reached  Poolsville, 
after  a  rapid  horseback  ride  from  Washington.  The  quarter- 
masters were  issuing  clothing  to  those  who  had  cast  away  their 
garments  while  swimmuig  the  river.  The  night  was  cold. 
There  had  been  a  heavy  fall  of  rain,  and  the  ground  was 
miry.  It  was  a  sad  spectacle,  those  half-naked,  shivering 
soldiers,  who  had  lost  everything,  —  clothes,  equipments,  and 
arms.     They  were  almost  heart-broken  at  the  disaster. 

"  I  enlisted  to  fight,"  said  one,  "  but  I  don't  want  to  be 
slaughtered.  0  my  God  !  shall  I  ever  forget  that  sight,  when 
the  boat  went  down  ?  "  He  covered  his  face  with  his  hands, 
as  if  to  shut  out  the  horrid  spectacle. 

Colonel  Baker  was  sent  across  the  river  with  the  Fifteenth 
and  Twentieth  Massachusetts,  a  portion  of  the  Tammany  Regi- 
ment of  New  York,  and  the  California  regiment.  Colonel  Baker's 
own,  in  all  about  fifteen  hundred  men.  Uis  means  of  com- 
munication were  only  an  old  scow  and  two  small  boats.  He 
was  left  to  figlit  unassisted  four  thousand  Rebels.  Soon  after 
he  fell,  there  was  a  sudden  rush  to  the  boats,  which,  being  over- 
loaded, were  instantly  swamped.  Tlie  Rebels  had  it  all  their 
own  way,  standing  upon  tlie  bank  and  shooting  the  drowning 
men.  Colonel  Baker's  body  had  been  brought  off,  and  was 
lying  at  Poolsville.  Tlie  soldiers  of  his  own  regiment  were  in- 
consolable. 

Poolsville  is  an  insignificant  village,  situated  in  one  of  the 
richest  agricultural  districts  of  Maryland,  surrounded  by  gentle 
swells  of  land,  wooded  vales,  verdant  slopes,  broad  fields,  with 
tlie  far-off  mountain  ranges  and  sweeping  Potomac, — that  com* 


1861.]  TEE  FALL   OF  1861.  88 

bination  which  would  be  the  delight  of  a  painter  who  loves 
quiet  rural  scenery.  The  soil  is  fertile,  and  needs  only  good 
culture  to  yield  an  hundred-fold.  Amid  such  native  richness 
stands  the  village,  —  a  small  collection  of  nondescript  houses, 
with  overhanging  roofs,  wide  porticos,  or  sheds  which  answer 
for  piazzas,  mammoth  chimneys,  built  outside  the  edifice,  as 
if  they  were  afterthoughts  when  the  houses  were  constructed. 
The  streets  are  narrow,  and  the  dwellings  are  huddled  together 
as  if  there  were  but  one  corner  lot,  and  all  were  trying  to  get  as 
close  to  it  as  possible,  reminding  one  of  a  crowd  of  boys  round 
the  old-fashioned  fireplace  of  a  country  school-house  on  a  win- 
ter's morning.  There  is  not  a  new  house  in  the  place.  The 
newest  one  was  built  many  years  ago.  You  look  in  vain  for 
neat  white  cottages,  with  well-kept  grounds.  You  are  aston- 
ished at  the  immense  number  of  old  wagons  and  carriages,  with 
rickety  tops,  torn  canvas,  broken  wheels,  shafts,  and  battered 
bodies,  —  of  old  lumber-carts  and  other  weather-beaten  vehi- 
cles under  skeleton  sheds.  Look  where  you  will,  you  come  to 
the  conclusion  that  time  has  sucked  out  the  juice  of  everything. 
There  is  no  freshness,  no  sig;n  of  a  renewal  of  life  or  of  present 
vitality.  There  are  a  small  church,  and  two  seedy,  needy  tav- 
erns,—  mean-looking,  uninviting  places,  each  with  its  crowd 
of  idle  men,  canvassing  the  state  of  public  affairs. 

Such  was  the  village  in  1861.  The  streets  werfe  alive  with 
"little  images  of  God  cut  in  ebony,"  as  Mrs.  Stowe  calls  a 
negro  child.  Many  of  the  "  images,"  however,  by  contact  with 
the  Anglo-Saxon  race,  through  Slavery,  had  become  almost 
white.  There  were  three  or  four  hundred  inhabitants,  a  few 
wealthy,  with  many  poor. 

We  found  accommodations  at  the  best  private  residence  in 
the  place.  The  owner  had  a  number  of  outlying  farms,  and 
was  reported  to  be  very  wealthy.  He  was  courteous,  and  pro- 
fessed to  be  a  Union  man.  He  was  disposing  of  his  hay  and 
grain  to  the  United  States  government,  receiving  the  highest 
prices  at  his  own  door.  Yet  when  conversing  with  him,  he 
said,  "  your  army,"  "  your  troops,"  as  if  he  were  a  foreigner. 
A  funeral  procession  passed  the  house,  —  a  company  of  the 
Massachusetts  Fifteenth,  bearing  to  tlie  village  graveyard  a 
comrade,  who  had  laid  down  his  life  for  his  country  at  Ball*s 

3 


34  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Oct. 

Bluff.  Said  the  wife  of  my  host  to  a  friend  as  they  passed : 
"  Their  government  lias  got  money  enough,  and  ought  to  take 
the  bodies  away  ;  we  don't  want  them  buried  here  ;  it  will  make 
the  place  unhealthy."  These  expressions  revealed  one  thing: 
that  between  them  and  the  Federal  Union  and  the  Constitution 
there  was  no  bond  of  unity.  There  was  no  nationality  binding 
us  together.  Once  tliey  would  not  have  spoken  of  the  army 
of  the  United  States  as  "  your  army."  What  had  caused  this 
alienation?  Slavery.  An  ebony-hued  chattel  kindled  my  fire 
in  the  morning  and  blacked  my  boots.  A  yellow  chattel  stood 
behind  my  chair  at  breakfast.  A  stout  chattel,  worth  twelve 
hundred  dollars,  groomed  my  horse.  There  were  a  dozen 
young  chattels  at  play  upon  the  piazza.  My  host  was  an  owner 
of  human  flesh  and  blood.  That  made  him  at  heart  a  Seces- 
sionist. The  army  had  not  interfered  with  Slavery.  Slaves 
found  their  way  into  the  camp  diiily,  and  were  promptly  re- 
turned to  their  professedly  loyal  masters.  Yet  the  presence 
of  the  troops  was  odious  to  the  slaveliolders. 

In  the  quiet  of  affairs  around  Washington  I  visited  Eastern 
Maryland,  accompanied  by  two  members  of  the  press.  The 
Rebels  had  closed  the  navigation  of  the  Potomac  by  erecting 
batteries  at  Cockpit  Point.  General  Hooker's  division  was  at 
Budd's  Ferry,  Port  Tobacco,  and  other  places  down  the  river. 
It  was  the  last  day  of  October,  —  one  of  the  loveliest  of  the 
year,  —  when  we  started  upon  our  excursion. 

No  description  can  convey  an  idea  of  the  incomparable  love- 
liness of  the  scenery,  —  the  broad  river,  with  the  slow-moving 
sail-boats,  the  glassy,  unruflled  surface,  reflecting  canvas,  masts, 
and  cordage,  the  many-colored  hills,  rich  with  autumnal  tints, 
the  marble  piles  of  the  city,  the  broad  streets,  the  more  distant 
Georgetown,  the  thousands  of  white  tents  near  and  far  away, 
with  all  the  nice  shading  and  blending  of  varied  hue  in  the 
mellow  light.  On  every  hill-top  we  lingered  to  enjoy  the  rich- 
ness of  nature,  and  to  fix  in  memory  the  picture  which,  under 
the  relentless  hand  of  war,  would  soon  be  robbed  of  its  pecu- 
liar charms. 

Ten  miles  out  and  all  was  changed.  The  neat,  tasteful, 
comfortable  residences  were  succeeded  by  the  most  dilapidated 
dwellings.      The   fields,   green   with   verdure,   gave   place   to 


1861*.]  THE  FALL   OF   1861.  86 

sandy  barrens.  To  say  that  everybody  and  everything  were 
out  at  the  elbows  and  down  at  the  heels  is  not  sufficient. 
One  must  see  the  old  buildings,  —  the  crazy  roofs,  the  unglazed 
windows,  the  hingeless  doors,  the  rotting  stoops,  the  reeling 
barns  and  sheds,  leaning  in  every  direction,  as  if  all  were  in 
drunken  carousal,  —  the  broken  fences,  the  surrounding  lum- 
ber,—  of  carts,  wagons,  and  used-up  carriages,  to  obtain  a 
correct  idea  of  this  picture,  so  strongly  and  painfully  in  con- 
trast to  that  from  the  hill-tops  overlooking  the  capital  of  the 
country. 

The  first  stopping-place  for  travellers  is  the  "  White  Horse." 
We  had  heard  much  of  the  White  Horse,  and  somehow  had 
great  expectations,  or  rather  an  undefined  notion  that  Clark 
Mills  or  some  other  artist  had  sculptured  from  white  marble  a 
steed  balanced  on  his  hind  legs  and  leaping  toward  the  moon, 
like  that  in  front  of  the  Presidential  mansion ;  but  our  great 
expectations  dwindled  like  Pip's,  when  we  descended  a  liill 
and  came  upon  a  whitewashed,  one-story  building,  —  a  log- 
house,  uninviting  to  man  or  beast.  A  poplar  in  front  of  the 
domicile  supported  a  swinging  sign,  on  which  the  country  artist 
had  displayed  his  marvellous  skill  in  painting  a  wliite  horse 
standing  on  two  legs.  It  was  time  for  dinner,  and  the  land- 
lady spread  the  table  for  her  guests.  There  was  no  gold-tinted 
bill  of  fare,  with  unpronounceable  French  phrases,  no  long  line 
of  sable  waiters  in  white  aprons.  My  memory  serves  me  as  to 
the  fare. 

Pork,  Pone,  Potatoes. 

The  pork  was  cold,  pone  ditto,  potatoes  also.  Pone  is  iin- 
raised  corn-cake  baked  in  the  ashes,  and  said  to  be  good  for 
indigestion.     It  is  a  favorite  cake  in  the  South. 

A  safiron-hued  young  man,  —  tall  and  lean,  with  a  sharp 
nose  and  thin  face,  sat  on  the  steps  of  the  Wliite  Horse. 

"  The  ager  got  hold  of  me  yesterday  and  shook  me  right 
smart,"  he  said.  "  It  is  a  bad  place  for  the  ager.  The  people 
that  used  to  live  here  have  all  moved  away.  The  land  is  run 
out.  They  have  terhakkered  it  to  death.  We  can't  raise  noth- 
ing, and  it  ain't  no  use  to  try."  Ho  pointed  to  a  deserted 
farm-house  standing  on  a  liill,  and  said,  "  There  's  a  place  the 
owner  has  left  to  grow  up  to  weeds.  He  can't  get  nobody  to 
carry  it  on." 


&6  THE   BOYS    OF   "61.  [Oct 

A  Stately  brick  mansion,  standing  back  from  the  highway 
once  the  residence  of  a  man  of  wealth  and  taste,  with  blinds, 
portico,  and  carriage-house,  elaborate  in  design  and  fuiish, 
was  in  the  last  stages  of  ruin.  The  portico  had  settled 
away  from  the  house.  The  roof  was  hollowed  like  a  weak- 
backed  horse,  the  chimneys  were  tumbling,  Ijlinds  swinging  by 
a  hinge,  windows  smashed,  outhouses  tottering  with  age  and 
neglect,  all  presenting  a  most  repulsive  appearance.  IIow 
changed  from  former  years,  when  the  courteous,  hospitable 
proprietor  of  the  estate  received  his  guests  at  the  magnificent 
portico,  ushered  them  to  his  spacious  halls,  opened  the  side- 
board and  drank  to  their  health,  while  attendant  slaves  took 
the  horses  to  the  stables !  It  is  easy  to  fdl  up  the  picture,  — 
the  grand  dinner,  the  walk  over  the  estate,  the  stroll  by  the 
river,  the  duck-shooting  on  the  marshes,  the  gang  of  slaves 
in  the  tobacco-patch,  the  army  of  black  and  yellow  servants  in 
the  kitchens,  chambers,  and  parlors.  When  this  old  house 
was  in  its  glory,  this  section  of  Maryland  was  in  its  prime ; 
but  how  great  the  change ! 

It  was  sad  to  think  of  the  departed  days.  Our  reflections 
were  of  what  the  place  had  been,  what  it  was,  and  what  it 
might  have  been,  had  Maryland  in  the  beginning  of  her  his- 
tory accepted  Freedom  instead  of  Slavery. 

Taverns  are  not  frequent  in  the  vicinity  of  Pomunkey,  and 
it  was  necessary  that  we  should  j>>eek  private  hospitality  for  the 
night.  A  first  attempt  for  accommodations  brought  us  to  a 
house,  but  the  owner  had  no  oats,  hay,  or  corn  ;  a  second  ride 
in  from  the  highway,  brought  us  to  a  whitewashed  farm-house, 
with  immense  outside  chimneys,  piazza,  adjoining  mud-chinked 
negro-quarters,  with  chimneys  of  sticks  and  clay,  and  a  dozen 
surrounding  buildings,  —  as  usual,  all  tumbling  to  pieces. 
Explanations  as  to  who  we  were  secured  kind  hospitality  from 
tlic  host,  a  gray-headed  man,  with  a  family  consistuig  of  his 
wife,  three  grown-up  sons,  and  nine  adult  daughters. 

"  Such  as  I  have  is  at  your  service,  gentlemen,'*  said  our 
host.  But  he  had  no  hay,  no  oats,  no  corn,  nothing  but  shucks 
for  ouf  horses.  Our  supper  consisted  of  fried  pork,  fried  salt 
shad,  pone,  wheat-cakes,  pea-coffee,  strawberry-leaf  tea,  sweet- 
ened with  damp  brown  sugar  ! 


1861. J  THE  FALL   OF  1861.  87 

••  Wc  don't  raise  butter  in  tliis  section  of  the  State,"  said  our 
host,  in  apology. 

The  supper  was  relished  after  an  afternoon  ride  of  thirty  miles. 
The  evening  being  chilly,  a  roaring  fire  was  kept  up  in  the  old- 
fashioned  fireplace.  The  daughters  put  on  their  most  attrac- 
tive attire,  and  left  nothing  untried  to  entertain  their  three  vis- 
itors. Could  we  dance  ?  Unfortunately  we  could  not.  It  was 
a  serious  disappointment;.  They  evidently  had  anticipated  hav- 
ing "  a  good  time."  One  of  the  ladies  could  play  a  violin, 
and  treated  us  to  jigs,  reels,  and  hornpipes. 

"  You  must  sing  the  gentlemen  a  song,  Jane,"  said  one. 

Jane  turned  scarlet  at  the  suggestion,  but  finally,  after  polite 
requests  and  a  little  urging,  turned  her  back  to  the  company, 
faced  the  corner  of  the  room,  and  sang  a  love-song.  She  could 
sing  "  Dixie,"  but  knew  nothing  of  the  "  Star-Spangled  Ban- 
ner "  or  "  Hail  Columbia."  The  young  ladies  were  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  Rebellion. 

"  It  must  be  expected  that  Southern  people  should  sympa 
tliize  with  the  South,"  said  our  host. 

"  You  own  some  slaves  ?  "  I  said. 

"  I  have  three  servants,  sir.  I  think,"  he  added,  "  that  the 
people  of  Eastern  Maryland  would  be  more  favorable  towards 
the  Union  if  they  could  be  assured  that  the  war  would  not 
finally  become  one  of  emancipation.  My  neighbor  over  there 
had  a  servant  who  ran  away  into  the  camp  of  one  of  the  New 
York  regiments.  He  went  after  him.  The  Colonel  told  the 
master  to  take  him,  but  the  servant  would  n't  leave  till  the 
Colonel  drew  his  pistol  and  threatened  to  shoot  him.  But  not- 
withstanding that,  I  reckon  that  the  war  will  make  them  rest- 
less."    It  was  spoken  frankly  and  unreservedly. 

It  was  pitiable  to  walk-  round  his  farm  in  the  morning,  to 
see  everywhere  the  last  stages  of  decay, — poor,  worn-out  lands, 
broken-down  fences,  weedy  fields,  pastures  without  a  blade  of 
grass,  leafless  orchards,  old  buildings,  —  everything  a  wreck  ; 
and  yet  to  know  that  he  was  wedded  to  the  very  institution 
which  was  reducing  the  country  to  a  wilderness.  He  was  not 
an  owner  of  the  estate,  but  a  rentee.  He  paid  one  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  rental  for  three  hundred  acres  of  land,  and  yet 
confessed  that  he  was  growing  poorer  year  by  year.     Tobacco, 


88  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  [Oct 

corn,  and  oats  were  the  only  crops.  He  could  get  no  manure. 
He  could  make  no  hay.  He  kept  two  cows,  but  made  no  but- 
ter. The  land  was  being  exhausted,  and  he  did  not  know  what 
he  should  come  to.  All  energy  and  life  were  gone ;  we  saw 
only  a  family  struggling  against  fate,  and  yet  clinging  with  a 
death-grapple  to  the  system  that  was  precipitating  their  ruin. 

"  Why  do  you  not  go  to  Illinois  ?  '' 

"  0,  sir,  I  am  too  old  to  move.     Besides,  this  is  home." 

We  pictured  the  boundless  resources  of  the  West,  the  fertile 
lands,  the  opportunities  for  bettering  his  condition,  but  our 
words  fell  upon  an  inert  mind.  As  a  last  argument,  we  said  : 
"  You  have  a  large  family  of  daughters.  In  Illinois  there  are 
thousands  of  young  men  wanting  wives,  who  will  make  good 
husbands.  There  are  few  young  men  here,  but  good  homes 
await  your  daughters  there." 

There  were  blushes,  smiles,  and  sparkling  eyes  from  the 
"  sacred  nine."  My  fellow-correspondent  of  the  Chicago  Trib- 
une then  drew  a  florid  picture  of  the  West,  —  of  the  need  of  the 
State  for  such  good-looking,  virtuous  ladies.  His  eloquence  was 
persuasive.  One  of  the  daughters  wanted  to  know  how  far  it 
was  to  Illinois ;  but  when  informed  that  it  was  a  thousand  miles, 
her  countenance  fell.     Bliss  so  far  away  was  unattainable. 

We  passed  a  second  night  with  our  host,  who,  during  our 
absence,  sent  one  of  the  servants  a  dozen  miles  to  obtain  some 
butter,  so  courteous  an  entertainer  was  he.  Yet  he  was  strug- 
gling with  poverty.  He  kept  three  slaves  to  wait  upon  his 
nine  grown-up  unmarried  daughters,  who  were  looking  out 
upon  a  dark  future.  There  was  not  a  single  gleam  of  light 
before  them.  They  could  not  work,  or,  at  the  best,  their  work 
was  of  trifling  account.  What  would  become  of  them  ?  That 
was  the  one  question  ever  haunting  the  father. 

"  Why  do  you  keep  your  slaves  ?  they  are  a  bill  of  cost  to 
you  every  year,"  we  said. 

"  I  know  it.  They  are  lazy,  shiftless,  and  they  will  steal, 
notwithstanding  they  have  enough  to  eat  and  wear  ;  but  then 
I  reckon  I  could  n't  get  along  without  them  very  well.  Sam 
is  an  excellent  groom,  and  Joe  is  a  good  ploughman.  He 
can  do  anything  if  he  has  a  mind  to ;  but  he  is  lazy,  like  all 
the  rest.  I  reckon  that  I  could  n't  get  along  without  him, 
though." 


1861.]  THE   FALL   OF   1861.  35* 

"  Your  sons  can  groom  your  horses  and  do  your  ploughing.'* 

"  Yes  ;  but  then  they  like  to  fish  and  hunt,  you  know  ;  and 
you  can't  expect  them  to  do  the  work  of  the  servants." 

The  secret  was  out.     Slavery  made  labor  dishonorable. 

Conversing  with  another  farmer  about  the  negroes,  he  said : 
"  They  steal  all  they  can  lay  their  hands  on ;  and  since  the 
Yankee  troops  have  been  in  camp  round  here,  they  are  ten 
times  as  bad  as  they  used  to  be.  My  chickens  are  fast  disap- 
pearing.    The  officers  buy  them,  I  reckon." 

We  thought  it  quite  likely ;  for  having  passed  several  days  in 
General  Hooker's  division,  we  could  bear  testimony  to  the  ex- 
cellent fare  of  the  officers'  mess,  —  chickens  served  in  all  the 
various  forms  known  to  culinary  art.  It  was  convenient  for 
officers  thus  to  supply  themselves  with  poultry.  Of  course  the 
slave  would  say  that  he  was  the  lawful  owner  of  the  poultry. 
Why  should  he  have  any  compunctions  of  conscience  about 
disposing  of  the  chickens  roosting  on  his  master's  apple-trees, 
when  his  labor,  his  life,  his  happiness,  his  children,  —  all  his 
rights  were  stolen  from  him  by  his  master  ?  If  the  sword  cut 
in  one  direction,  why  not  in  another  ? 

A  few  days  later,  in  November,  we  visited  Annapolis,  a 
quaint  old  city.  The  streets  all  centre  at  the  State-House 
and  St.  John's  Church.  There  are  antiquated  houses  with 
mossy  roofs,  brass  knockers  on  the  doors,  which  were  built  two 
hundred  years  ago.  We  were  carried  back  to  the  time  of  the 
Revolution,  when  Annapolis  was  in  its  glory. 

One  would  suppose,  in  walking  past  the  substantial  stone 
mansions,  that  the  owners  were  living  at  ease,  in  quiet  and 
seclusion  ;  that  they  had  notes,  mortgages,  and  bonds  laid  by 
for  a  rainy  day :  but  a  fair  outside  does  not  always  indicate 
health  within.  In  many  of  those  old  mansions,  grand  in  pro- 
portion, elaborate  with  cornice,  there  was  nothing  but  famine. 
How  strong  is  aristocratic  pride !  Poverty  cannot  subdue  it. 
Men  and  women  lived  there  sorely  pressed  to  keep  up  even  a 
threadbare  appearance,  who,  before  the  war,  held  soul  and 
body  together  by  raising  negroes  for  the  Southern  market,  and 
by  waiting  upon  the  Assembly  when  in  session.  They  would 
have  deemed  it  degrading  to  hold  social  intercourse  with  a 
mason  or  a  blacksmith,  or  with  any  one  compelled  to  earn  his 


40  THE   BOYS   OF  '«1.  [NoV. 

bread  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow.  In  poverty  they  nursed  their 
pride.  The  castes  of  Hindostan  were  hardly  more  distinct. 
It  is  easy  to  see  how  a  community  can  become  Ufcless  under 
such  a  state  of  society.  The  laboring  men  had  gone  away,  — 
to  the  West,  to  Baltimore,  or  to  localities  whej-e  it  is  not  a 
crime  to  work  for  a  livelihood.  In  consequence,  enterprise  had 
died,  property  had  depreciated,  and  the  entire  place  had  become 
poverty-stricken . 

On  the  succeeding  Sunday  I  was  in  Washington,  where  a 
superintendent  of  one  of  the  Sabbath  schools  was  spending  a 
portion  of  the  hour  in  singing.  Among  other  songs  was  Rev. 
S.  F.  Smith's  national  hymn,  — 

"  My  country,  't  is  of  thee, 
Sweet  land  of  liberty." 

Among  the  persons  present  were  three  ladies,  members  of  a 
family  sympathizing  with  secession.  With  unmistakable  signs 
of  disgust,  they  at  once  left  the  house ! 

Not  only  at  church,  but  in  the  army,  the  spirit  of  slavery 
was  rampant.  The  Hutchinson  family  visited  Washington. 
They  solicited  permission  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  Mr.  Cam- 
eron, to  visit  the  camps  in  Virginia  and  sing  songs  to  the  sol- 
diers, to  relieve  the  tedious  monotony  of  camp  life.  Their 
request  was  granted,  and  their  intentions  cordially  commended 
by  the  Secretary ;  and,  being  thus  indorsed,  received  General 
McClcllan's  pass.  Their  songs  have  ever  been  of  freedom. 
They  were  welcomed  by  the  soldiers.  But  there  were  ofiicers 
in  the  service  who  believed  in  slavery,  who  had  been  taught 
in  Northern  pulpits  that  it  was  a  divinely  appointed,  benefi- 
cent institution  of  Almighty  God.  Information  was  given  to 
General  McClcllan  that  the  Ilutchinsons  were  poisoning  the 
minds  of  the  troops  by  singing  Abolition  songs  ;  and  their  career 
as  free  concert  givers  to  the  patriotic  soldiers  was  suddenly 
ended  by  the  following  order  from  head-quarters :  — 

"  By  direction  of  Major-General  McCIellan,  the  permit  given  to 
the  Hutchinson  family  to  sing  in  the  camps,  and  their  pass  to  cross  the 
Potomac,  are  revoked,  and  they  will  not  be  allowed  to  sing  to  the 
troops." 

Far  from  the  noise  and  strife  of  war,  on  the  banks  of  the 


1861.]  THE  FALL   OF  1861.  41 

Merrimack,  lived  the  poet  of  Peace  and  of  Freedom,  whose 
songs  against  oppression  and  wrong  have  sunk  deep  into  the 
hearts  of  the  people.  Whittier  heard  of  the  expulsion  of  the 
flutcliinsons,  and  as  if  inspired  by  a  spirit  divine,  wrote  the 

"  EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.  • 

"  We  wait  beneath  the  furnace-blast 
The  pangs  of  transformation ; 
Not  painlessly  doth  God  recast 
And  mould  anew  the  nation. 
Hot  burns  the  fire 
Where  wrongs  expire ; 
Nor  spares  the  hand 
That  from  the  land 
Uproots  the  ancient  evil. 

"  The  hand-breadth  cloud  the  sagen  feared 
Its  bloody  rain  is  dropping ; 
The  poison  plant  the  fathers  sparol 
All  else  is  overtopping. 
East,  West,  South,  North. 
It  curses  the  earth ; 
All  justice  dies. 
And  fraud  and  lies 
Live  only  in  its  shadow. 

"  What  gives  the  wheat-field  blades  of  steol  ? 
What  points  the  rebel  cannon  i 
What  sets  the  roaring  rabble's  heel 
On  the  old  star-spangled  pennon  ( 
What  breaks  the  oath 
Of  the  men  o'  the  South  ? 
"What  whets  the  knife 
For  the  Union's  life  ?  — 
Hark  to  the  answer :  Slavery  I 

**  Then  waste  no  blows  on  lesser  ices 
In  strife  unworthy  freemen. 
God  lifts  to-day  the  veil,  and  shoiui 
The  features  of  the  demon ! 
O  North  and  South, 
Its  victims  both, 
Can  ye  not  cry, 
'  Let  slavery  die ! ' 
And  union  find  in  freedom  ? 

•  Our  God  is  a  strong  fortress. 


42  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Nov. 

:\  i  /  "  What  though  the  cast-out  spirit  tear 

The  nation  in  his  going  ? 
We  who  have  shared  the  guilt  must  share 
The  pang  of  his  o'erthrowing  I 
Whate'er  the  loss, 
Whate'er  the  cross, 
Shall  they  complain 
Of  present  pain 
Who  trust  in  God's  hereafter  ? 

"  For  who  that  leans  on  His  right  arm 
Was  ever  yet  forsaken  ? 
What  righteous  cause  can  suffer  harm 
II'  lie  its  part  has  taken  ? 
/  Though  wild  and  loud 

And  dark  the  cloud, 
Behind  its  folds 
Ilis  hand  upholds 
The  calm  sky  of  to-morrow ! 

"  A  Dove  the  maddening  cry  for  blood, 
Above  the  wild  war-drumming, 
Let  Freedom's  voice  be  heard,  with  good 
The  evil  overcoming. 
Give  prayer  and  purse 
To  stay  the  Curse 
Whose  wrong  we  share. 
Whose  shame  we  bear. 
Whose  end  shall  gladden  Heaven ! 

**  In  vain  the  bells  of  war  shall  ring 
Of  triumphs  and  revenges. 
While  still  is  spared  the  evil  thing 
That  severs  and  estranges. 
But  blest  the  ear 
That  yet  shall  hear  • 

The  jubilant  bell 
That  rings  the  kneU 
Of  Slavery  forever ! 

••  Then  let  the  selfish  lip  be  dumb, 
And  hushed  the  breath  of  sighing; 
Before  the  joy  of  peace  must  come 
The  pains  of  purifying. 
God  give  us  grace 
Each  in  his  place 
To  bear  his  lot. 
And,  murmuring  not, 
Endure  and  wait  and  labor  1 


1861. j  THE   FALL   OF   1861.  4b 

The  expulsion  of  the  Hutchinsons,  with  Whittier's  ringing 
words,  stirred  people's  thoughts.  A  change  was  gradually 
taking  place  in  men's  opinions.  The  negroes  were  beginning 
to  show  themselves  useful.  A  detachment  of  the  Thirteenth 
Massachusetts,  commanded  by  Major  Gould,  was  stationed  on 
the  upper  Potomac.  A  negro  slave,  belonging  in  Winchester, 
came  into  the  lines.  He  was  intelligent,  cautious,  shrewd, 
and  loyal.  Major  Gould  did  not  return  him  to  his  master,  but 
asked  him  if  he  would  go  back  and  ascertain  the  whereabouts 
of  Stonewall  Jackson.  The  negro  readily  assented.  He  was 
supplied  with  packages  of  medicine,  needles,  thread,  and  other 
light  articles  greatly  needed  in  the  South.  With  these  he 
easily  passed  the  Rebel  pickets :  "  Been  out  to  get  'em  for 
massa,"  was  his  answer  when  questioned  by  the  Rebels.  Thus 
he  passed  repeatedly  into  the  Rebel  lines,  obtaining  information 
which  was  transmitted  to  Washington. 

He  had  great  influence  with  the  slaves. 

"  They  are  becoming  restless,"  said  he,  "  but  I  tells  'em  that 
they  must  be  quiet.  I  says  to  'em,  keep  yer  eyes  wide  open 
and  pray  for  de  good  time  comin'.  I  tells  'em  if  de  Souf  whip, 
it  is  all  night  wid  yer ;  but  if  de  Norf  whip,  it  is  all  day  wid 
yer." 

"  Do  they  believe  it  ?"  Major  Gould  asked. 

"  Yes,  massa,  all  believe  it.  The  black  men  am  all  wid  yer, 
only  some  of  'em  is  n't  berry  well  informed ;  but  dey  is  all  wid 
yer.     Massa  tinks  dey  is  n't  wid  yer,  but  dey  is." 

How  sublime  the  picture !  —  a  slave  counselling  his  fellow 
bondmen  to  keep  quiet  and  wait  till  God  should  give  them 
deliverance ! 

Among  the  many  Rebel  ministers  who  had  done  what  they 
could  to  precipitate  the  rebellion  was  a  Presbyterian  minister 
in  the  vichiity  of  Charlestown,  Virginia.  It  was  his  custom, 
after  closing  his  sermon,  to  invite  the  young  men  to  enlist 
in  the  regiments  then  forming.  On  one  of  these  occasions 
he  made  an  address  in  which  he  gave  utterance  to  the  fol- 
lowing sentiment :  "  If  it  is  necessary  to  defend  South- 
ern institutions  and  Southern  rights,  I  will  wade  up  to 
my  shoulders  in  blood !  "  This  was  brave ;  but  the  time 
came  when  the   chivalry  of  the  parson  was  put  to  the  test. 


44  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [NoT. 

When  the  Rebels  were  routed  at  Bolivar,  he,  not  being  mounted 
on  so  fleet  a  horse  as  those  of  his  flock,  who  had  given  heed  to 
his  counsels  and  joined  the  cavalry,  found  himself  left  behind. 
A  bullet  lodged  in  the  body  of  his  horse  prevented  escape.  Ho 
then  tried  his  own  legs,  but  soon  found  himself  in  the  hands  of 
the  soldiers,  who  brought  him  to  head-quarters.  lie  at  once 
claimed  protection  of  Major  Gould  on  the  most  extraordinary 
grounds.  He  had  read  the  poems  of  Hannah  Gould,  and 
presumed  that  Major  Gould,  hailing  from  Massachusetts,  must 
be  her  kinsman.  When  confronted  with  the  Major  he  prompt- 
ly exclaimed,  "  Major,  I  have  read  the  poems  of  Miss  Hannah 
Gould,  and  admire  them  ;  presuming  that  she  is  a  relative 
of  yours,  I  claim  your  protection  and  consideration." 

The  Major  replied  that  he  had  not  the  honor  to  be  a  relative 
of  that  gifted  lady,  but  that  he  should  accord  him  all  the 
consideration  due  to  those  who  had  rebelled  against  the  peace 
and  dignity  of  the  United  States,  and  had  been  taken  with 
arms  in  their  hands.  He  was  marched  off  with  the  others  and 
placed  under  guard. 

Slavery  was  strongly  intrenched  in  the  capital  of  the  nation. 
Congress  had  abolished  it  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  but  it 
still  remained. 

Said  a  friend  to  me  one  morning,  "  Are  you  aware  that  the 
Washington  jail  is  full  of  slaves  ?  "  I  could  not  believe  that 
slaves  were  then  confined  there  for  no  crime ;  but  at  once  pro- 
cured a  pass  from  a  senator  to  visit  the  jail,  and  was  admitted 
through  the  iron  gateway  of  one  of  the  vilest  prisons  in  the 
world.     The  air  was  stifled,  fetid,  and  malarious. 

Ascending  the  stone  stairway  to  the  third  story  of  the  build- 
ing, entering  a  dark  corridor  and  passing  along  a  few  steps,  I 
came  to  a  room  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  square,  occupied  by  about 
twenty  colored  men.  They  were  at  their  dinner  of  boiled 
beef  and  corn-cake.  There  was  one  old  man  sitting  on  the 
stone  floor,  silent  and  sorrowful.  He  had  committed  no  crime. 
Around,  standing,  sitting,  or  lying,  were  the  others,  of  all 
shades  of  color,  from  jet  black  to  the  Caucasian  hue,  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  hair  and  contour  of  features.  They  were  from  ten  to 
fifty  years  of  age ;  some  were  dressed  decently,  and  others  were 
in  rags.     One  bright  fellow  of  twenty  had  on  a  pair  of  trousers 


1861.]  THE  FALL  OF  1861.  46 

only,  and  tried  to  keep  himself  warm  by  drawing  around  him 
a  tattered  blanket.  A  little  fellow  ten  years  old  was  all  in  rags. 
There  was  no  chair  or  bed  in  the  room.  They  must  stand,  or 
sit,  or  lie  upon  the  brick  and  granite  floor.  There  was  no  mat- 
tresb  or  bedding ;  each  had  his  little  bundle  of  rags,  and  that 
was  all.  They  looked  up  inquiringly  as  I  entered,  as  if  to  make 
out  the  object  of  my  visit. 

One  bright,  inielligent  boy  belonged  to  Captain  Dunnmgton, 
captain  of  the  Caoitol  police  during  Buchanan's  administration, 
and  then  commanding  a  Rebel  battery.  When  Dunnington 
went  from  Washington  to  join  the  Rebels  he  left  the  boy  be- 
hind, and  the  police  had  arrested  him  under  an  old  Maryland 
law,  because  he  had  no  master,  and  kept  him  in  jail  five  months. 

There  was  an  old  man  from  Fairfax  Court-House.  When 
the  army  advanced  to  Falls  Church,  his  master  sold  his  wife 
and  child,  for  fear  they  might  escape.  "  You  see,  sir,  tliat 
broke  me  all  up.  0,  sir,  it  was  hard  to  part  with  them,  to  see^ 
'cm  chained  up  and  taken  off  away  down  South  to  Carolina. 
My  mind  is  almost  gone.  I  don't  want  to  die  here  ;  I  sha'n't 
live  long.  When  your  army  fell  back  to  Washington  after  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  I  came  to  Washington,  and  the  police  took 
mc  up  because  I  was  a  runaway." 

There  was  another,  a  free  negro,  imprisoned  on  the  supposi- 
tion that  he  was  a  fugitive,  and  kept  because  there  was  no 
one  to  pay  his  jail  fees.  Another  had  been  a  hand  on  a  Massa- 
chusetts schooner  plying  on  the  Potomac,  and  had  been  arrest- 
ed in  the  streets  on  the  suspicion  that  he  was  a  slave. 

Another  had  been  employed  on  the  fortifications,  and  govern- 
ment was  his  debtor.  There  was  a  little  boy,  ten  years  old, 
clothed  in  rags,  arrested  as  a  runaway.  Women  were  there, 
sent  in  by  their  owners  for  safe  keeping.  There  were  about 
sixty  chargeable  with  no  crime  whatever,  incarcerated  with 
felons,  without  hope  of  deliverance.  They  were  imprisoned  be- 
cause negroes  about  town,  without  a  master,  always  had  been 
dealt  with  in  that  manner.  The  police,  when  the  slaves  had 
been  reclaimed,  had  been  sure  of  their  pay,  or  if  they  were  sold, 
their  pay  came  from  the  auctioneer.  Wlien  they  saw  me  mak- 
ing notes,  they  imagined  that  I  was  doing  something  for  their 
liberation,   and   with    eagerness  they  crowded  round,  saying, 


46 


THE    BOYS   OF   '61. 


[Dec. 


"  Please  put  down  my  name,  sir,"  "  I  do  want  to  get  out,  sir," 
and  similar  expressions.  Tliey  followed  me  into  the  passage 
gazed  through  the  grated  door,  and  when  I  said  "  Good  by, 
boys,"  there  came  a  chorus  of  "  Good  byes  "  and  "  God  bless 
yous." 

Seeking  Senator  Wilson's  room,  I  informed  him  of  what  I 
had  witnessed,  and  read  the  memoranda  taken  in  the  jail.  The 
eyes  of  that  true-hearted  man  flashed  with  righteous  indigna- 
tion.    "  We  will  see  about  this,"  said  he,  springing  to  his  feet. 

He  visited  the  jail,  saw  the  loathsome  spectacle,  heard  the 
stories  of  the  poor  creatures,  and  the  next  day  introduced  a 
resolution  into  the  Senate,  which  upset  forever  this  system  of 
tyranny,  which  had  been  protected  by  the  national  authority. 

The  year  closed  gloomily.  There  were  more  than  six  hun- 
dred thousand  troops  under  arms  ready  to  subdue  the  Rebel- 
lion, but  General  McClcllan  hesitated  to  move.  But  there 
*Were  indications  of  an  early  advance  in  the  West ;  therefore 
on  the  last  days  of  December  I  left  Washington  to  be  an  ob- 
server  of  whatever  might  happen  in  Kentucky. 


ELLSWORTH  ZOUAVE    DRILL. 


1862.1  AFFAIBS  m   THE  WEST.  47 


CHAPTER   IV. 

AFFAIRS    IN    THE    WEST. 

The  church-bells  of  Louisville  were  ringing  the  new  year 
in  as  with  the  early  morning  we  entered  that  city.  There  was 
little  activity  in  the  streets.  The  breaking  out  of  the  war  had 
stopped  business.  The  city,  with  a  better  location  than  Cin- 
cinnati, has  had  a  slow  growth.  Cassius  M.  Clay  gave  the 
reason,  years  ago. 

"  Why,"  he  asked,  "  does  Louisville  write  on  an  hundred 
of  her  stores  '  To  let,'  while  Cincinnati  advertises  '  Wanted '  ? 
There  is  but  one  answer, — Slavery."  Many  of  the  houses  were 
tenantless.  The  people  lounged  in  the  streets.  Few  had  any- 
thing to  do.  Thousands  of  former  residents  were  away,  many 
with  the  Southern  army,  more  with  the  Union.  There  was  divi- 
sion of  feeling.  Lines  were  sharply  drawn.  A  dozen  loyal  Kcn- 
tuckians  had  been  killed  in  a  skirmish  on  Green  River ;  among 
them  Captain  Bacon,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Frankfort.  His 
body  was  at  the  Gait  House.  Loyal  Kentuckians  were  feeling 
these  blows.  Their  temper  was  rising ;  they  were  being  edu- 
cated by  such  adversity  to  make  a  true  estimate  of  Secession. 
Everything  serves  a  purpose  in  this  world.  Our  vision  is  too 
limited  to  understand  much  of  the  governmental  providence  of 
Him  who  notices  the  fall  of  a  sparrow,  and  alike  controls  the 
destiny  of  nations  ;  but  I  could  sec  in  the  emphatic  utterances 
of  men  upon  the  street,  that  revenge  might  make  men  patriotic 
who  otherwise  might  remain  lukewarm  in  their  loyalty. 

A  friend  introduced  a  loyal  Tennesseean,  who  was  forced  to 
flee  from  Nashville  when  the  State  seceded.  The  vigilance 
committee  informed  him  that  he  must  leave  or  take  the  conse- 
quences ;  which  meant,  a  suspension  by  the  neck  from  the 
nearest  tree.  He  was  offensive  because  of  his  outspoken  loy- 
alty. He  was  severe  in  his  denunciations  of  the  government, 
on  account  of  its  slowness  to  put  down  the  Rebellion. 


48  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Jan. 

"  Sir,"  said  he,  "  this  government  is  not  going  to  put  down 
the  Rebellion,  because  it  is  n't  in  earnest.  You  of  the  North 
are  white-livered.  Excuse  me  for  saying  it.  No  ;  I  won't  ask 
to  be  excused  for  speaking  the  truth.  You  are  afraid  to  touch 
the  negro.  You  are  afraid  of  Kentucky.  The  little  province 
of  the  United  States  gets  down  on  its  knees  to  the  nation  of 
Kentucky.  You  are  afraid  that  the  State  will  go  over  to  the 
Rebels,  if  anything  is  done  about  the  negro.  Now,  sir,  I  know 
what  slavery  is  ;  I  have  lived  among  it  all  my  days.  I  know 
what  Secession  is, — it  means  slavery.  I  know  what  Kentucky 
is,  —  a  proud  old  State,  which  has  a  great  deal  that  is  good 
about  her  and  a  great  deal  of  sham.  Kentucky  politicians  are 
no  better  or  wiser  than  any  other  politicians.  The  State  is  liv- 
ing on  the  capital  of  Henry  Clay.  You  think  that  the  State  is 
great  because  he  was  great.  0,  you  Northern  men  are  a  brave 
set !  (It  was  spoken  with  bitter  sarcasm.)  You  handle  this 
Rebellion  as  gingerly  as  if  it  were  a  glass  doll.  Go  on,  go  on  ; 
you  will  get  whipped.  Buell  will  get  whipped  at  Bowling 
Green,  Butler  will  get  whipped  at  New  Orleans.  You  got 
whipped  at  Big  Bethel,  Ball's  Bluff,  and  Manassas.  Why  ? 
Because  the  Rebels  are  in  earnest,  and  you  are  not.  Every- 
thing is  at  stake  with  them.  They  employ  niggers,  you  don't. 
They  seize,  rob,  burn,  destroy;  they  do  everything  to  strengthen 
their  cause  and  weaken  you,  while  you  pick  your  way  as  dain- 
tily as  a  dandy  crossing  a  mud-puddle,  afraid  of  offending  some- 
body. No,  sir,  you  are  not  going  to  put  down  this  Rebellion 
till  you  hit  it  in  the  tenderest  spot, — the  negro.  You  must 
take  away  its  main  support  before  it  will  fall." 

General  Buell  was  in  command  of  the  department,  with  his 
head-quarters  at  the  Gait  House.  He  had  a  large  army  at 
Mumfordville  and  other  points.  He  issued  his  orders  by  tele- 
graph, but  he  had  no  plan  of  operations.  There  were  no  indi- 
cations of  a  movement.  The  Rebel  sympathizers  kept  General 
Johnston,  in  command  at  Bowling  Green,  well  informed  as  to 
Buell's  inaction.  Tlierc  was  daily  communication  between 
Louisville  and  the  Rebel  camp.  There  was  constant  illicit 
trade  in  contraband  goods.  The  policy  of  General  McClellan 
was  also  the  policy  of  General  Buell,  —  to  sit  still. 

Events  were  more  stirring  in  Missouri,  and  I  proceeded  to 


1862.]  AFFAIRS   IN   THE   WEST.  4S> 

St.  Louis,  where  General  Halleck  was  in  command,  —  a  thick- 
set, dark-featured,  black-haired  man,  sluggish,  opinionated,  and 
self-willed,  arbitrary  and  cautious. 

Soon  after  his  appointment  to  this  department  he  issued,  on 
the  20th  of  November,  his  Order  No.  3,  which  roused  the  in- 
dignation of  earnest  loyal  men  throughout  the  country.  Thus 
read  the  document :  — 

"  It  has  been  represented  that  information  respecting  the  numbers 
and  condition  of  our  forces  is  conveyed  to  the  enemy  by  means  of  fugi- 
tive slaves  who  are  admitted  within  our  lines.  In  order  to  remedy  this 
evil,  it  is  directed  that  no  such  persons  be  hereafter  permitted  to  enter 
the  lines  of  any  camp,  or  of  any  forces  on  the  march,  and  that  any 
within  our  lines  be  immediately  excluded  therefrom." 

General  Schofield  was  in  command  of  Northern  Missouri, 
andcr  General  Halleck.  The  guerillas  had  burned  nearly  all 
the  railroad  bridges,  and  it  was  necessary  to  bring  them  to  jus- 
tice. The  negroes  along  the  line  gave  him  the  desired  intel- 
Ugence,  and  six  of  the  leaders  were  in  this  way  caught,  tried 
by  court-martial,  and  summarily  shot.  Yet  General  Halleck 
adhered  to  his  infamous  order.  Diligent  inquiries  were  made 
of  ofiicers  in  regard  to  the  lovalty  of  the  negroes,  and  no  in- 
stance was  found  of  their  having  given  information  to  the 
enemy.  In  all  of  the  slaveholdhig  States  a  negro's  testimony 
was  of  no  account  against  a  white  man  under  civil  law ;  but 
General  Schofield  had,  under  military  law,  inaugurated  a  new 
order  of  things,  —  a  drum-head  court,  a  speedy  sentence,  a 
quick  execution,  on  negro  testimony.  The  Secessionists  and 
Rebel  svmpathizers  were  indignant,  and  called  loudly  for  his 
removal. 

The  fine  army  which  Fremort  had  commanded,  and  from 
which  he  had  been  summarily  dismissed  because  of  his  anti- 
slavery  order,  was  at  RoUa,  at  the  terminus  of  the  southwest 
branch  of  the  Pacific  Railroad.  This  road,  sixteen  miles  out 
from  St.  Louis,  strikes  the  valley  of  the  Maramec,  —  not  the 
Merrimack,  born  of  the  Wliite  Hills,  but  a  sluggish  stream, 
tinged  with  blue  and  green,  widening  in  graceful  curves,  with 
tall-trunked  elms  upon  its  banks,  and  acres  of  low  lands,  which 
are  flooded  in  freshets.  It  is  a  pretty  river,  but  not  to  be  corn- 
Dared  in  U^.auty  to  the  stream  which  the  muse  of  Whittier  has 

4 


50  THE  BOYS  OF   '61.  [Jan. 

made  classic.  Nearly  all  tlic  residences  in  tliis  section  are 
Missourian  in  architectural  proportions  and  features,  —  logs 
and  clay,  with  the  mammoth  outside  chimneys,  cow-yard  and 
piggery,  an  oven  out  of  doors  on  stilts,  an  old  wagon,  half  a 
dozen  horses,  hens,  dogs,  pigs,  in  front,  and  lean,  cadaverous 
men  and  women  peeping  from  the  doorways,  with  arms  akimbo, 
and  pipes  between  the  teeth.  This  is  the  prevaihng  feature, 
—  this  in  a  beautiful,  fertile  country,  needing  but  the  hand 
of  industry,  the  energy  of  a  free  people,  vitalized  by  the  high- 
est civilization,  to  make  it  one  of  the  loveliest  portions  of  tho 
world. 

At  Franklin  the  southwestern  branch  of  the  Pacific  Railroad 
diverges  from  the  main  stem.  It  is  a  new  place,  brought  into 
existence  by  the  railroad,  and  consists  of  a  lime-kiln,  a  steam 
saw-mill,  and  a  dozen  houses.  Behind  the  town  is  a  picturesque 
bluff,  with  the  lime-kiln  at  its  base,  which  might  be  taken  for 
a  ruined  temple  of  some  old  Aztec  city.  Near  at  hand  two 
Iowa  regiments  were  encamped.  A  squad  of  soldiers  was  on 
the  plain,  and  a  crowd  stood  upon  the  depot  platform,  anx- 
iously inquiring  for  the  morning  papers.  It  was  a  supply  sta- 
tion, provisions  being  sent  up  both  lines.  Two  heavy  freight 
trains,  destined  for  Rolla,  were  upon  the  southwestern  branch. 
To  one  of  them  passenger  cars  were  attached,  to  which  we  were 
transferred. 

When  the  branch  was  opened  for  travel  in  1859,  the  direc- 
tors run  one  train  a  day,  —  a  mixed  train  of  passenger  and 
freight  cars,  —  and  during  the  first  week  their  patronage  in 
freight  was  immense,  —  it  consisted  of  a  bear  and  a  pot  of 
lioncy !  On  the  passage  the  bear  ate  the  honey,  and  the  owner 
of  the  honey  brought  a  bill  against  the  company  for  damages. 

Beyond  Franklin  the  road  crosses  the  Maramec,  enters  a 
forest,  winds  among  the  hills,  and  finally  by  easy  grades  reaches 
a  crest  of  land,  from  which,  looking  to  the  riglit  or  the  left,  you 
can  see  miles  away  over  an  unbroken  forest  of  oak.  Far  to  the 
east  is  the  elevated  ridge  of  land  which  ends  in  the  Pilot  Knob, 
toward  the  Mississippi,  and  becomes  the  Ozark  Mountain  range 
toward  the  Arkansas  line.  We  looked  over  the  broad  panorama 
to  see  villages,  church-spires,  white  cottages,  or  the  blue  curl- 
ing smoke  indicative  of  a  town  or  human  residence,  but  the 


1862.]  AFFAIRS  IK  THE  WEST.  51 

expanse  was  primitive  and  unbroken.  Not  a  sign  of  life  could 
be  discovered  for  many  miles  as  we  slowly  crept  along  the  line. 
The  country  is  undulating,  with  the  limestone  strata  cropping 
out  on  the  hillsides.  In  the  railroad  cuttings  the  rock,  which 
at  the  surface  is  gray,  takes  a  yellow  and  reddish  tinge,  from 
the  admixture  of  ochre  in  the  soil.  In  one  cutting  we 
recognized  the  lead-bearing  rocks,  which  abound  through  the 
southwestern  section  of  the  State. 

We  looked  in  vain  to  discover  a  school-house.  A  gentleman 
who  was  well  acquainted  with  this  portion  of  the  State,  said 
that  he  knew  of  only  two  school-houses,  —  one  in  Warsaw  and 
the  other  in  Springfield.  In  a  ride  of  one  hundred  and  thirteen 
miles  we  saw  but  two  churches.  As  Aunt  Ophelia  foimd 
"  Topsy "  virghi  soil,  so  will  those  who  undertake  to  recon 
struct  the  South  fmd  these  wilds  of  Southwestern  Missouri. 
And  they  are  a  fair  specimen  of  the  South. 

It  was  evening  when  we  reached  Rolla.  When  we  stepped 
from  the  car  in  the  darkness,  there  was  a  feeling  that  the  place 
was  a  mortar-bed  and  the  inhabitants  were  preparing  to  make 
bricks.  Our  boots  became  heavy,  and,  like  a  man  who  takes 
responsibility,  when  we  once  planted  our  feet  the  tendency  was 
for  them  to  stay  there.  Guided  by  an  acquaintance  who  knew 
the  way,  the  hotel  was  reached.  In  the  distance  the  weird 
camp-fires  illumined  the  low-hanging  clouds.  From  right  and 
left  there  came  the  roll  of  drums  and  the  bugle-call.  A  group 
of  men  sat  around  the  stove  in  the  bar.  The  landlord  escorted 
us  to  the  wash-room,  —  a  spacious,  high-arched  apartment,  as 
wide  as  the  east  is  from  the  west,  as  long  as  the  north  is 
from  the  south,  as  high-posted  as  the  zenith,  where  we  found 
a  pail  of  water,  a  tin  basin,  and  a  towel,  for  all  hands ;  and 
which  all  hands  had  used.  After  ablution  came  supper  in 
the  dining-hall,  with  bare  beams  overhead.  Dinah  waited 
upon  us,  —  coal-black,  tall,  stately,  worth  a  thousand  dollars 
before  the  war  broke  out,  but  somewhat  less  just  then,  and 
Phillis,  with  a  mob-cap  on  her  head,  bleached  a  little  in  com- 
plexion by  Anglo-Saxon  or  Missourian  blood. 

We  soon  discovered  that  nothing  was  to  be  done  by  the  army 
in  this  direction.  The  same  story  was  current  here  as  on  the 
Potomac  and  in  Kentucky,  —  "  Not  ready."   General  Sigcl  had 


52  THE  BOYS   OF   '61.  [Jan. 

Bent  ill  his  resignation,  disgusted  with  General  Hallcck.  Gen- 
eral Curtis  had  just  arrived  to  take  command.  The  troops 
were  sore  over  the  removal  of  Fremont :  tlicy  idolized  him. 
Among  the  forty  thousand  men  in  the  vicinity  were  tliose  who 
had  fouglit  at  Wilson's  Creek.  The  lines  between  Rebellion 
and  Loyalty  were  more  sharply  drawn  here  than  in  any  otlicr 
section  of  the  country.  Men  acted  openly.  Tlic  army  was  radi- 
cal in  its  sentiments,  believing  in  Fremont's  order  for  the  liber- 
ation of  the  slaves,  which  the  President  had  set  aside. 

There  was  one  other  point  which  gave  better  promise  of  ac- 
tive operations,  —  Cairo.  Therefore  bidding  adieu  to  Rolla, 
we  returned  to  St.  Louis  and  took  the  cars  for  Cairo. 

It  was  an  all-night  ride,  with  a  mixed  company  of  soldiers 
and  civilians.  There  were  many  ladies  on  tlicir  way  to  visit 
their  husbands  and  brotliers  before  the  opening  of  tlie  cam* 
paign.  One  woman  had  three  children.  "  Tlieir  father  wants 
to  see  them  once  more  before  he  goes  into  battle,"  said  the 
mother,  sadly. 

At  last  we  found  a  place  where  men  seemed  to  be  in  earnest. 
Cairo  was  alive.  At  the  levee  were  numerous  steamboats. 
Soldiers  were  arriving.  There  was  a  constant  hammering  and 
poundmg  on  the  gunboats,  which  were  moored  along  the  shore. 

The  mud  cannot  be  put  into  the  picture.  There  was  thick 
mud,  thin  mud,  sticky  mud,  slushy  mud,  slimy  mud,  deceptive 
mud,  impassable  mud,  which  appeared  to  the  sight,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  the  peculiarities  that  are  understood  by  the  nose  ;  for 
within  forty  feet  of  our  window  were  a  horse-stable  and  pig- 
yard,  where  slops  from  the  houses  and  washes  from  tlie  sinks 
were  trodden  with  the  manure  from  the  stables.  Banyan's 
Slough  of  Despond,  into  which  all  the  filth  and  slime  of  this 
world  settled,  was  nothing  beside  the  slough  of  Cairo.  There 
were  sheds,  shanties,  stables,  pig-stys,  wood-piles,  carts,  barrels, 
boxes,  —  the  debris  of  everything  thrown  over  the  area.  Of 
animate  things,  water-carts,  —  two-horse  teams,  which  were 
sui)plying  the  inhabitants  with  drinking  water  from  the  river. 
There  were  truckmen  stuck  in  the  mud.  There  were  two 
pigs  in  irrepressible  conflict ;  also  two  dogs.  Twenty  feet 
distant,  soldiers  in  their  blue  coats,  ofllccrs  with  swords, 
Bash  and  belt,  ladies,  and  citizens,  were   picking  their  way 


1862.]  AFFAIRS  IN  THE  WEST.  63 

along  the  sticky  sidewalks.  This  was  Cairo.  Delectable 
Cairo  I 

The  prominent  names  before  the  country  at  that  period,  as 
commanders  who  were  to  lead  our  armies  to  victory,  were 
McClellan,  Buell,  T.  W.  Sherman,  then  at  Port  Royal,  Fre- 
mont, Rosccrans,  Burnsidc,  Butler,  and  Banks.  William  Te- 
cumseh  Sherman  was  reputed  to  be  flighty  in  the  head.  He 
had  commanded  the  Department  of  the  Ohio,  but  Buell  had  suc- 
ceeded him.  He  was  now  a  brigade  commander  at  Paducah, 
under  General  C.  F.  Smith.  There  were  several  brigadiers 
at  Cairo.  General  McClernand,  who  had  been  a  member 
of  Congress,  a  strong  partisan  of  Senator  Douglas,  was  most 
conspicuous.  General  Prentiss,  who  was  ready  to  make  a 
speech  on  any  and  every  occasion,  was  also  well  known.  The 
con^nandcr  of  the  post  was  an  obscure  man.  His  name  was 
Grant.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war  he  was  in  the  leather 
business  at  Galena.  He  had  been  educated  at  AVcst  Point, 
where  he  stood  well  as  a  matliematician,  but  had  left  the  ser- 
vice, and  had  become  a  hard-vrorking  citizen.  He  was  Colonel 
of  the  Twenty-first  Illinois,  and  had  been  made  a  brigadier  by 
the  President.  He  was  in  charge  of  the  expedition  to  Belmont, 
which,  though  successful  in  the  beginning,  had  ended  almost 
in  disaster.  Having  credentials  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  I 
entered  the  head-quarters  of  the  commanding  officer,  and 
found  a  man  of  medium  stature,  thick  set,  with  blue  eyes,  and 
brown  beard  closijly  cropped,  sitting  at  a  desk.  He  was  smok- 
ing a  meerschaum.  He  wore  a  plain  blue  blouse,  without  any 
insignia  of  rank.  His  appearance  was  clerkly.  General  Mc- 
Clellan, in  Washington,  commanded  in  state,  surrounded  by 
brilliant  staffs,  men  in  fine  broadcloth,  gold  braid,  plumed 
hats,  and  wearing  clanking  sabres.  Orderlies  and  couriers 
were  usually  numerous  at  head-quarters. 

"  Is  General  Grant  in  ? "  was  the  question  directed  to  the 
clerk  in  the  corner. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  the  man,  removing  his  meerschaum  from  his 
mouth,  and  spitting  with  unerring  accuracy  into  a  spittoon  by 
liis  side. 

"  Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  give  this  letter  to  him.*' 

But  the  clerk,  instead  of  carrying  it  into  an  adjoining  room. 


54  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Jan 

to  present  it  to  the  commander-in-chief,  opened  it,  ran  his  eye 
rapidly  over  the  contents,  and  said,  "  I  am  happy  to  make  your 
acquaintance,  sir.     Colonel  Webster  will  give  you  a  pass." 

Such  was  my  first  interview  with  General  Grant.  I  have 
seen  him  many  times  since,  —  in  the  hour  of  victory,  at  Don- 
elson  ;  in  the  shadow  of  the  cloud,  after  Pittsburg  Landing  ; 
during  the  fearful  days  of  the  Wilderness  ;  in  the  last  great 
hours  of  triumph,  with  Lee  and  his  army  paroled  prisoners  of 
war  ;  and  there  has  ever  been  the  same  quiet,  gentlemanly 
deportment. 

The  large  hall  of  the  St.  Charles  Hotel  was  the  general  re- 
sort of  officers,  soldiers,  guests,  and  citizens.  I  was  conversing 
with  a  friend  the  same  afternoon  when  a  short,  muscular,  quick- 
walking  man,  in  the  prime  of  life,  wearing  a  navy  uniform, 
entered.  His  countenance  would  attract  attention  even  in  a 
crowd,  it  was  so  mild,  peaceful,  and  pleasant.  My  friend  in- 
troduced him  as  Commander  Foote. 

•*  I  shall  be  pleased  to  see  you  at  my  office,  which  is  on  the 
wharf-boat.  I  usually  take  a  little  recreation  after  dinner," 
Baid  he. 

Calling  upon  him  the  next  day,  I  found  him  at  leisure,  hav- 
ing despatched  the  business  of  the  forenoon.  There  was  a  Bible 
on  his  table  and  a  hymn-book,  and  in  one  corner  of  the  office  a 
large  package  of  books,  just  received  from  the  Sunday-Schcol 
Union,  directed  to  "  Captain  A.  H.  Foote,  U.  S.  N." 

Noticing  my  eyes  turned  in  that  direction^  he  said  :  "  They 
are  for  the  sailors  ;  I  want  to  do  what  I  can  for  the  poor  fel- 
lows. They  have  n't  any  chaplain  ;  I  read  the  service  on  Sun- 
day and  visit  the  crews,  and  talk  to  them  ;  but  it  is  very  little 
religious  instruction  which  they  receive.  I  don't  allow  any 
work,  except  what  is  absolutely  necessary,  on  Sunday.  I  be- 
lieve man  and  beast  need  rest  one  day  in  seven.  I  am  trying 
to  persuade  the  men  to  leave  off  their  grog  rations,  with  a  fair 
chance  of  success.'* 

He  was  at  leisure,  and  talked  freely  of  matters  relating  to  the 
organization  of  the  fleet.  He  had  to  contend  with  great  diffi- 
culties. The  department  had  rendered  him  but  little  service. 
He  had  done  his  best  to  obtain  mortars ;  had  despatched  officers 
to  Pittsburg,  where  they  were  cast,  but  they  were  all  sent  East 


GENERAL  GRANT 


GENERAL  SHERMAN. 


1862.]  AFFAIRS  IN  THE  \VEST.  65 

for  the  New  Orleans  fleet.  He  regretted  it  exceedingly, 
for  with  good  ordnance  he  thought  it  would  not  be  a  diflicult 
matter  to  reach  New  Orleans,  though,  as  he  modestly  remarked, 
quoting  the  Scriptural  proverb,  "  It  becomes  not  him  who  put- 
tctli  on  the  harness  to  boast."  He  was  lacking  men.  Recruit- 
uig  officers  had  been  sent  to  Chicago,  Cleveland,  Buffalo,  and 
other  lake  ports,  but  they  had  signally  failed,  because  the 
department  did  not  pay  any  advance  to  those  in  the  river 
service,  while  on  the  seaboard  advances  were  made.  He  had 
not  men  enough  to  man  his  gunboats. 

The  department  had  furnished  him  with  but  few  new  guns. 
He  had  been  obliged  to  take  those  which  were  at  Sackctt's  Har- 
bor, —  old  guns  far  inferior  to  those  with  which  Commodoro  Du 
Pont  knocked  Tybce  and  Hilton  Head  to  pieces.  He  liad  to  get 
gun-carriages  manufactured  in  Cincinnati,  other  things  at  St. 
Louis,  others  at  Pittsburg ;  but  notwithstanding  this,  had  organ- 
ized a  fleet  wliich  would  throw  a  tremendous  weight  of  metal. 
He  was  not  ready  to  move,  yet  would  move,  wliethcr  ready  or 
not,  whenever  the  word  was  given.  He  believed  in  fighting  at 
close  quarters. 

He  spoke  freely  of  the  faults  of  the  gunboats.  They  were 
too  low  in  the  water  and  the  engines  of  too  limited  capacity. 
They  would  not  be  able  to  make  much  headway  agahist  the 
stream.  He  considered  them  an  experiment,  and,  like  all  ex- 
periments, they  were  of  course  defective. 

He  was  a  close  student,  devoted  to  his  profession,  and  bore 
the  marks  of  severe  thought  in  tlie  wrhikles  which  were  deep- 
ening on  his  brow.  Time  had  begun  to  silver  his  hair  and 
whiskers,  but  he  walked  with  a  firm  step.  He  had  rare  con- 
versational powers,  and  imparted  information  as  if  it  were  a 
pleasure.  He  was  thoroughly  conscientious,  and  had  a  deep 
sense  of  his  responsibility.  He  was  aware  that  his  own  reputa- 
tion and  standing  as  well  as  the  interests  of  the  public  were  at 
stake.     He  was  greatly  beloved  by  his  men. 

Two  of  the  gunboats  —  the  Essex  and  Louisville  —  were  ly- 
ing six  or  eight  miles  below  Cairo,  guarding  the  river.  The 
Essex  !  How  often  in  boyhood  had  I  thrilled  at  the  story  of 
her  brave  fight  with  the  Cherub  and  Phebe  in  the  harbor  of 
Valparaiso !     How  often  I  wished  that  Captain  Porter  could 


66  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [Jan 

have  had  a  fair  cliance  in  that  terrible  fight,  —  one  of  the 

fiercest  ones  fought  on  the  sea.     But  there  was  another  Essex 

commanded  by  another  Captain  Porter,  son  of  him  wlio  refused 

to  surrender  his  ship  till  he  had  lost  all  power  to  defend  her. 

The  new  craft  was  wholly  unlike  the  old.     That  was  a  fast 

sailer,  trim,  and  taut,  and  graceful  as  a  swan  upon  the  waters  ; 

this  a  black  box,  once  a  St.  Louis  ferry-boat.     The  sailors  who 

had  breathed  the  salt  air  of  the  sea,  who  had  swung  in  mid* 

heaven  upon  tlie  swaying  masts,  who  had  rode  in  glee  upon  the 

Btorm-tost  billows, 

"  Whose  home  was  on  the  deep," 

regarded  the  new  Essex  m  disgust,  and  rechristened  her  the 
Mud  Turtle.  But  her  name,  and  the  glorious  record  of  her 
deeds,  will  not  fade  from  remembrance.  Coming  generations 
shall  read  of  her  exploits  with  pride  and  pleasure.  We  were 
courteously  received  by  her  commander.  Captain  Wm.  D.  Por- 
ter, a  solid'  man,  but  little  more  than  five  feet  high,  yet  broad- 
chested,  quick  and  energetic  in  his  movements.  He  had  a  long, 
thick,  black  beard,  and  twinkling  eyes  full  of  fire.  He  had  the 
rolling  gait  of  a  sailor,  and  was  constantly  pacing  the  deck. 
Ho  was  a  rapid  talker,  and  had  a  great  store  of  adventure  and 
anecdote.  We  alluded  to  the  part  taken  by  his  father  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  the  gallant  fight  against  great  odds  in  Val^  %• 
raise  harbor.     The  eyes  of  the  son  kindled  instantly. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  that  was  a  plucky  fight.  The  old  gentleman 
never  would  have  given  in  if  there  had  been  the  least  ray  of 
hope ;  but  there  was  none.  And  he  was  too  tender-hearted 
to  needlessly  slaughter  his  men." 

Three  days  previous  to  our  visit  to  the  Essex,  two  Rebel  boats 
came  up  from  Columbus  to  see  what  the  Yankees  were  doing. 
In  five  minutes  Porter  had  his  anchor  up  and  steam  on,  pushing 
down  to  meet  them  half-way  ;  but  they  declined  the  courtesy, 
and  steamed  back  to  Columbus. 

"  I  followed  them  as  fast  as  I  could,"  said  he,  as  wc  paced 
the  deck.  "  I  let  them  have  my  ten-inch  Dahlgren  and  my 
two  rifled  forty-two  pounders  one  after  another,  and  drove 
them  till  their  batteries  on  the  bluff  above  the  town  opened  on 
me.  Then  I  wrote  an  invitation  to  Montgomery,  who  com- 
mands their  fleet,  to  meet  me  any  day  and  I  would  lick  him 


1862.J  AFFAIRS  IN   THE   WEST.  57 

like- thunder.  I  fastened  it  to  a  cork  and  set  it  adrift,  and  saw 
a  boat  go  out  and  pick  it  up.  Tiien  I  elevated  my  ten-inch  and 
let  them  have  a  shell  right  into  the  town.  I  reckon  it  waked 
them  up  some." 

He  laughed  and  chuckled,  rubbed  his  hands,  took  a  fresh 
quid  of  tobacco,  and  began  to  talk  again  of  his  father's  exploits 
on  the  Pacific. 

The  Rebels  under  Major-General  Bishop  Polk  were  in  force 
at  Columbus.  There  was  also  a  detachment  at  Mayfield,  east 
of  Columbus.  A  sudden  movement  was  made  by  General 
Grant  in  the  direction  of  Mayfield,  not  with  any  design  of 
an  attack,  but  to  deceive  the  Rebels  in  regard  to  the  real 
mtentions.  The  troops  landed  at  old  Fort  Jefferson,  six  miles 
below  Cairo,  on  the  Kentucky  side.  It  was  a  mild  day  in  mid- 
winter. The  soldiers  marched  without  baggage.  Not  one  in 
ten  had  gloves  or  mittens  ;  and  on  the  second  night  of  the 
reconnoissance  the  cold  became  intense,  and  there  was  great 
suffering. 

The  soldiers  kindled  huge  fires,  and  by  running  and  walking, 
and  constant  thrashing  of  the  hands,  passed  the  long,  weary 
night.  There  were  numerous  herds  of  swine  in  the  woods, 
and  fresh  pork  was  abundant.  There  was  roasting,  frying, 
and  broiling  by  every  bivouac  fire,  and  a  savory  fragrance  of 
sparerib  and  steak. 

The  dwellings  of  the  farmers  in  this  section  of  Kentucky  are 
of  the  Southern  style  of  architecture,  —  log-houses  containing 
two  rooms,  with  chimneys  built  against  the  ends.  Entering 
one  to  obtain  a  drink  of  water  we  found  two  tall,  cadaverous 
young  men,  both  of  them  shaking  with  ague.  There  was  a 
large  old-fashioned  fireplace,  with  a  great  roaring  fire,  before 
which  they  were  sitting  with  the  door  wide  open  at  their  backs, 
and  the  cold  air  rushing  upon  them  in  torrents.  Probably  it 
did  not  occur  to  either  of  them  that  it  would  be  better  to  shut 
the  door. 

A  Connecticut  wooden  clock  ticked  on  a  rude  shelf,  a  bed 
stood  in  one  corner.  The  walls  were  hung  witli  old  clothes 
and  dried  herbs,  —  catnip  and  tansy  and  thoroughwort.  The 
clay  had  dropped  out  in  many  places,  and  we  could  look 
through    the  chinks    and  see   the  landscape  without      The 


58  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  L'^an. 

foundations  of  the  chimney  had  settled,  and  the  structure  was 
leaning  away  from  the  house.  There  were  great  cracks  bo 
tween  the  brickwork  and  tlie  wood. 

They  claimed  to  be  good  Union  men,  but  said  that  all  the 
rest  of  the  people  round  tlicm  were  disloyal. 

"  We  arc  having  a  hard  time,"  said  one.  "  The  Secession- 
ists were  going  to  jump  us,  —  to  take  our  property  because  we 
were  for  the  Union,  and  now  your  army  has  come  and  killed 
nigh  about  seventy-five  hogs  for  us,  I  reckon.  It  is  kinder 
hard,  stranger,  to  be  used  so  " 

"  But,  my  friend,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  Union  troops 
would  n't  you  have  lost  everything,  if  you  are  a  Union  man  ?  " 

"  Yes,  —  perhaps  so,"  was  the  long-drawn  answer,  given  with 
hesitation. 

"  There  is  a  right  smart  heap  of  Southerners  at  Columbus,  I 
reckon,"  said  he.  "  There  is  Sam  WicklifT  and  Josli  Turner, 
and  almost  all  the  boys  from  this  yere  place,  and  they  '11  fight, 
I  reckon,  stranger." 

We  then  learned  that  the  officers  of  McClernand's  division, 
having  been  deprived  of  the  enjoyments  of  home-life,  and 
finding  themselves  among  the  belles  of  Western  Kentucky, 
had  made  the  most  of  the  opportunity  by  dancing  all  night. 

"  The  gals  danced  themselves  clean  out,  that  is  the  reason 
they  ain't  about,"  said  one  of  the  young  men,  apologizing  for 
the  absence  of  his  sisters,  and  added,  "  They  is  rather  afraid 
of  the  Lincolnites."  The  utterance  of  the  last  sentence  con- 
tradicted all  previous  assertions  of  loyalty  and  hearty  love  for 
the  Union. 

The  troops  made  sad  havoc  among  the  stock,  shooting  pigs 
and  sheep  for  fun.     After  scouring  the  country  well  toward? 
Columbus,  having  accomplished  the  object  of  the  expedition,  — 
that  of  deceiving  the  Rebels  in  regard  to  the  movement  con 
templated  up  the  Tennessee,  —  the  force  returned  to  Cairo. 


'862.]  CENTRAL   KENTUCKY.  69 


CHAPTER    V. 

CENTRAL    KENTUCKY. 

The  tide  of  success  during  the  year  1861  was  almost  wholl}' 
in  favor  of  the  Rebels  ;  but  at  length  there  came  a  change,  in 
the  defeat  of  Zollicoffcr  by  General  Thomas  at  Mill  Springs,  on 
the  19th  of  January.  I  hastened  to  the  centre  of  the  State  to 
watch  operations  which  had  suddenly  become  active  in  that 
quarter. 

It  was  on  the  last  day  of  January  that  the  zealous  porter 
of  the  Spencer  Rouse,  in  Cincinnati,  awoke  me  with  a  thun- 
dcrhig  rap  at  five  o'clock,  shouting,  "  Cars  for  Lexington." 
It  was  still  dark  when  the  omnibus  whirled  away  from  the 
house.  There  were  six  or  eight  passengers,  all  strangers,  but 
conversation  was  at  once  started  by  a  tali,  stout,  red-faced, 
broad-shouldered  man,  wearing  a  gray  overcoat  and  a  broad 
brimmed,  slouched  hat,  speaking  the  Kentucky  vernacular. 

It  is  very  easy  to  become  acquainted  with  a  genuine  Ken- 
tuckian.  He  launches  at  once  into  conversation.  He  loves 
to  talk,  and  takes  it  for  granted  that  you  like  to  listen.  The 
gentleman  who  now  took  the  lead  sat  in  the  corner  of  the 
omnibus,  talking  not  only  to  his  next  neighbor,  but  to  every- 
body present.  The  words  poured  from  his  lips  like  water 
from  a  wide-mouthed  gutter  during  a  June  shower.  In  five 
minutes  we  had  his  history,  —  born  in  "  Old  Kentuck,"  knew 
all  the  folks  in  Old  Bourbon,  had  been  a  mule-driver,  supplied 
Old  Virginia  with  more  mules  than  she  could  shake  a  stick  at, 
had  got  tired  of  "  Old  Kentuck,"  moved  up  into  Indiana,  was 
going  down  to  see  the  folks,  —  all  of  this  before  we  had  reached 
the  ferry  ;  and  before  arriving  at  the  Covington  shore  we  had 
his  opinion  of  the  war,  of  political  economy,  the  Constitution, 
and  the  negroes. 

It  was  remarkable  that,  let  any  subject  be  introduced,  even 


60  THE   BOYS   OF   "61.  [Feb 

though  it  might  be  most  remotely  related  to  the  war,  the  talkers 
would  quickly  reach  the  negro  question.  Just  as  m  theological 
discussions  the  tendency  is  toward  original  sin,  so  upon  the 
war,  —  the  discussion  invariably  went  beyond  the  marshalling 
of  armies  to  the  negro  as  the  cause  of  the  war. 

The  gentleman  in  gray  had  not  learned  the  sounds  of  the 
letters  as  given  by  the  Icxicograpliers  of  the  Englisli  language, 
but  adhered  to  the  Kentucky  dialect,  giving  "  liar  "  for  hair, 
"  thar  "  for  there,  with  peculiar  terminations. 

"  Yer  see,  I  xis-ed  to  live  in  Old  Kaintuck,  down  thar  beyond 
Paris.  Wal,  I  moYed  up  beyond  Indianojoolis,  bought  a  mighty 
nice  farm.  I  know'd  all  the  folks  down  round  Paris.  Thar  's 
old  Specrs,  wlio  got  shot  down  to  Mill  Springs,  —  he  was  a 
game  un  ;  a  white-haired  old  cuss  who  jined  the  Confederates. 
I  know'd  him.  I  'tended  his  nigger  sale  sev'ral  years  ago, 
when  he  busted.  He  war  a  good  old  man,  blame  me  if  he 
want.  He  war  crazy  that  ar  day  of  the  sale,  and  war  down 
on  the  nigger-traders.  He  lost  thousands  of  dollars  that  ar 
day,  cause  he  hated  'em  and  run  down  his  niggers,  —  said  they 
wan't  good  when  they  war,  just  ter  keep  'em  out  of  the  hands 
of  the  cussed  traders. 

"  Wal,  thar  's  Jim,  —  I  remember  him.  He  's  in  Confed'- 
rate  army,  too.  I  lost  a  bet  of  tew  hundred  dollars  with  him 
on  Letcher's  'lection,  —  that  old  drunken  cuss  who  's  disgra- 
cing Old  Virginia ;  blow  me  if  I  did  n't.  That  was  hard  on  me, 
cause  on  'lection  day  arter  I  'd  voted,  I  started  with  a  drove  of 
mnels,  four  hundred  on  'em  nigh  about,  for  Virginia.  I  felt 
mighty  sick,  I  tell  you,  'cause  I  had  employed  a  drunken  cuss 
to  buy  'em  for  me,  and  he  paid  more  than  they  war  wuth. 
Wal,  I  know'd  I  would  lose,  and  I  did,  —  ten  hundred  dollars. 
Cusses,  yer  know,  allcrs  comes  in  flocks.  Wal,  only  ges  think 
of  it,  that  ar  drunken  cuss  is  a  kurnel  in  the  Federal  army. 
Blow  me  ef  I  think  it 's  right.  Men  that  drink  too  much  ar'  n't 
tit  to  have  control  of  soldiers. 

"  Wal,  I  am  a  Kentuckian.  I  've  got  lots  of  good  friends  in 
the  Southern  army,  and  lots  in  the  Union  army.  My  idee  is 
that  government  ought  to  confiscate  the  property  of  the  Rebels, 
and  when  the  war  is  over  give  it  back  to  their  wives  and  chil- 
dren.    It 's  mighty  hard  to  take  away  everything  from  'em,  — 


1862.]  CENTRAL  KENTUCKY  61 

blow  me  if  it  a'n't.  The  Abolitionists  want  to  confiscate  the 
niggers.  Wal,  I  know  all  about  the  niggers.  They  are  a  lazy, 
stealing  set  of  cusses,  the  hull  lot  of  'em.  What  can  we  do 
with  'em  ?  That 's  what  I  want  to  know.  Now  my  wife,  she 
wants  niggers,  but  I  don't.  If  Kentucky  wants  'em,  let  her 
have  'em.  It  's  my  opinion  that  Kentucky  is  better  off  with 
'em,  'cause  she  has  got  used  to  'em. 

"  The  people  are  talking  about  starving  the  Confederates, 
but  I  've  been  through  the  South,  and  it  can't  be  done.  They 
can  raise  everything  that  we  can,  and  it 's  my  candid  opinion 
that  government  is  gwine  to  get  licked." 

The  arrival  of  the  omnibus  at  the  depot  put  an  end  to  the 
talk. 

The  Licking  Yalley,  through  which  the  railroad  to  Lexing- 
ton runs,  is  very  beautiful.  There  are  broad  intervales  fringed 
with  hickory  and  elm,  wood-crowned  hills,  warm,  sunny 
vales  and  charming  landscapes.  Nature  has  done  much  to 
make  it  a  paradise ;  art  very  little.  The  farm-houses  are  in 
the  Kentucky  style,  —  piazzas,  great  cliimneys  outside,  negro 
cabins,  —  presenting  at  one  view  and  in  close  contrast  the  ex- 
tremes of  wealth  and  poverty,  power  and  weakness,  civilization 
and  barbarism,  freedom  and  slavery. 

The  city  of  Lexington  is  a  place  of  the  past.  Before  rail- 
roads were  projected,  when  Henry  Clay  was  in  the  prime  of 
manhood  there,  it  was  a  place  of  enterprise  and  activity.  The 
streets  were  alive  with  men.  It  was  tlie  great  political  and 
social  centre  of  Central  Kentucky.  The  city  flourished  in 
those  days,  but  its  glory  has  passed  away.  The  great  com 
moner  on  whose  lips  thousands  hung  in  breathless  admira 
tion,  the  circumstances  of  his  time,  the  men  of  his  generation, 
have  departed  never  to  return.  Life  has  swept  on  to  other 
centres.  In  the  suburbs  were  beautifiid  residences.  Riches 
were  displayed  in  lavish  expenditure,  but  the  town  itself 
was  wearing  a  seedy  look.  There  was  old  rubbisli  every- 
where about  the  city  ;  there  were  buildings  with  crazy  blinds, 
cracked  walls,  and  leaning  eartliward  ;  while  oven  a  beautiful 
church  edifice  had  broken  panes  in  its  windows.  The  troubles 
of  the  year,  like  care  and  anxiety  to  a  strong  man,  plough- 
ing deep  furrows  on  his  face,  had  closed  many  stores,  and 


62  THE  BOYS   OF  '61.  [Feb 

written  "  To  Rent "  on  many  dwellings.  A  sudden  {jaralysia 
had  fallen,  business  had  drooped,  and  society  had  lost  its 
life. 

The  Phenix  was  the  ancient  aristocratic  hotel  of  the  place. 
It  was  in  appearance  all  of  the  old  time, —  a  three-story,  stone, 
brick,  and  plaster  building,  with  small  windows,  and  a  great 
bar-room  or  office,  which  in  former  days  was  the  resort  of 
politicians,  men  of  the  turf,  and  attendants  at  court.  A  crowd 
of  unwashed  men  were  in  the  hall,  spattered  with  mud,  wear- 
ing slouched  hats,  unshaven  and  unshorn,  —  a  motley  crew  ; 
some  tilted  against  the  walls  in  chairs,  fast  asleep,  some  talking 
hi  low  tones  and  filling  the  room  with  fumes  of  tobacco.  A 
half-dozen  were  greasing  their  boots.  The  proprietor  apolo- 
gized for  their  presence,  remarking  that  they  were  teamsters 
who  had  just  arrived  from  Somerset,  and  were  soon  to  go  back 
with  supplies  for  General  Thomas's  army.  There  were  three 
hundred  of  them,  rough,  uncouth,  dirty,  but  well  behaved. 
There  was  no  loud  talking,  no  profanity,  indecency,  or  rude- 
ness, but  a  deportment  through  the  day  and  night  worthy  of 
all  commendation. 

While  enjoying  the  fire  in  the  reception-room  two  ladies 
entered,  —  one  middle-aged,  medium  stature,  liavhig  an  oval 
face,  dark  hair,  dark  hazel  eyes  ;  the  other  a  young  lady  of  nine- 
teen or  twenty  years,  sharp  features,  black  hair,  and  flashing 
black  eyes.  Tliey  were  boarders  at  the  hotel,  were  well  dressed, 
though  not  with  remarkable  taste,  but  evidently  were  accus- 
tomed to  move  in  the  best  circle  of  Lexington  society.  A 
regiment  was  passhig  the  liotcl. 

''  There  are  some  more  Yankees  going  down  to  Mill  Springs, 
I  reckon,"  said  the  elder. 

"  0,  is  n't  it  too  bad  that  ZoUicoffer  is  killed  ?  I  could  have 
cried  my  eyes  out  when  I  heard  of  it,"  said  the  youngest.  "  0 
he  was  so  brave,  and  noble,  and  chivalrous  !  " 

"  He  was  a  noble  man,"  the  other  replied. 

"  0, 1  sliould  so  like  to  see  a  battle !  "  said  the  youngest. 

"  It  miglit  not  be  a  pleasant  sight,  although  we  are  often 
willuig  to  forego  pleasure  for  the  sake  of  gratifying  curiosity," 
we  replied. 

"  1  should  want  my  side  to  whip,"  said  the  girl. 


1862.]  CENTRAL  KENTUCKY.  63 

"  Yes.  We  all  expect  our  side  to  be  victorious,  though  we 
are  sometimes  disappointed,  as  was  the  case  at  Bull  Run." 

"  Then  you  were  at  Bull  Run  ?  I  take  it  that  you  belong  to 
the  army  ? " 

''  I  was  there  and  saw  the  fight,  although  I  was  not  connected 
with  the  army." 

"  I  am  glad  you  were  defeated.  It  was  a  good  lesson  to  you. 
The  Northerners  have  had  some  respect  for  the  Southerners 
since  then.     The  Southerners  fought  against  great  odds." 

"  Indeed,  I  think  it  was  the  reverse." 

"  No  indeed,  sir.  The  Federals  numbered  over  sixty  thou- 
sand, while  Beauregard  had  less  than  thirty  thousand.  He  did 
not  have  more  than  twelve  thousand  in  the  fight." 

"  I  can  assure  you  it  is  a  grave  mistake.  General  McDowell 
had  less  than  thirty  thousand  men,  and  not  more  than  half 
were  engaged." 

"  Well,  I  wonder  what  he  was  thinking  of  when  he  carried 
out  those  forty  thousand  handcuffs  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  suppose  any  one  gave  credence  to  that  absurd 
story." 

"  Absurd  ?  Indeed,  sir,  it  is  not.  I  have  seen  some  of  the 
handcufis.  There  are  several  pairs  of  them  in  this  city.  They 
were  brought  directly  from  the  field  by  some  of  our  citizens 
who  went  on  as  soon  as  they  heard  of  the  fight.  I  have  sev- 
eral trophies  of  the  fight  which  our  men  picked  up." 

No  doubt  the  young  lady  was  sincere.  It  was  universally 
believed  throughout  the  South  that  McDowell  had  thousands 
of  pairs  of  handcuffs  in  his  train,  which  were  to  be  clapped 
upon  the  wrists  of  the  Southern  soldiers. 

"  We  have  some  terrible  uncompromising  Union  men  in  this 
State,"  said  the  eldest,  "  who  would  rather  see  every  negro 
swept  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  the  whole  country  sunk, 
than  give  up  the  Union.  We  have  more  Abolitionists  here  in 
this  city  than  they  have  in  Boston." 

It  was  spoken  bitterly.  She  did  not  mean  that  the  Union 
men  of  the  State  were  committed  to  immediate  emancipation, 
but  that  they  would  accept  emancipation  rather  than  have  the 
Secessionists  succeed. 

A  gentleman  came  in,  sat  down  by  the  fire,  warmed  his 


64  l^HE  BOYS   OF  '61.  [Feu. 

hands,  and  joined  in  the  conversation.  Said  he :  "I  am  a 
Southerner.  I  have  lived  all  my  life  among  slaves.  I  own  one 
slave,  but  I  hate  the  system.  There  are  counties  in  this  State 
wliere  there  are  but  few  slaves,  and  in  all  such  counties  you 
will  find  a  great  many  Abolitionists.  It  is  the  brutalizing 
influence  of  slavery  that  makes  me  hate  it,  —  brutalizing  to 
whites  and  blacks  alike.  I  hate  this  keeping  niggers  to  raise 
human  stock,  —  to  sell,  just  as  you  do  horses  and  sheep." 

In  all  places  the  theme  of  conversation  was  the  war  and  the 
negroes.  The  ultra  pro-slavery  element  was  thoroughly  seces- 
sion, and  the  Unionists  were  beginning  to  understand  that 
slavery  was  at  the  bottom  of  the  rebellion.  As  in  the  dim 
light  of  the  morning  we  already  behold  the  approach  of  the 
full  day,  so  they  saw  that  these  which  seemed  the  events  of 
an  hour  might  broaden  into  that  which  would  overthrow  the 
entire  slave  system. 

Anthony  Trollope,  an  English  traveller  and  novelist,  was 
stopping  at  the  hotel  at  the  time,  —  a  pleasant  gentleman, 
thoroughly  Englisli  in  his  personal  appearance,  with  a  plump 
face,  indicative  of  good  living  and  good  cheer.  In  his  work 
entitled  "  North  America  "  he  mentions  the  teamsters  in  the 
hall,  and  draws  a  contrast  between  English  and  American 
society.     He  says  :  — 

"  While  I  was  at  supper  the  seventy-five  teamsters  were  summoned 
into  the  common  eating-room  by  a  loud  gong,  and  sat  down  to  their 
meal  at  the  pubHc  table.  They  were  very  dirty ;  I  doubt  whether  I 
ever  saw  dirtier  men;  but  they' were  orderly  and  well-behaved,  and 
but  for  their  extreme  dirt  might  have  passed  as  the  ordinary  occupants 
of  a  well-filled  hotel  in  the  West.  Such  men  in  the  States  are  less 
clumsy  with  their  knives  and  forks,  less  astray  in  an  unused  position, 
more  intelligent  in  adapting  themselves  to  a  new  hfe,than  are  Enghsh- 
men  of  the  same  rank.  It  is  always  the  same  story.  With  us  there 
is  no  level  of  society.  Men  stand  on  a  long  staircase,  but  the  crowd 
congregates  near  the  bottom,  and  the  lower  steps  are  very  broad.  In 
America,  men  stand  on  a  common  platform,  but  the  platform  is  raised 
above  the  ground,  though  it  does  not  approach  in  height  the  top  of  our 
staircase.  If  we  take  the  average  altitude  in  the  two  countries,  we 
shall  find  that  the  American  heads  are  the  more  elevated  of  the  twa 
I  conceived  rather  an  affection  for  those  dirty  teamsters;  they  answered 


1862.]  CENTRAL  KENTUCKY.  65 

me  civilly  when  I  spoke  to  them,  and  sat  in  quietness  smoking  their 
pipes,  with  a  dull  and  dirty  but  orderly  demeanor."  * 

If  Mr.  Trollope,  who  has  a  very  just  appreciation  of  the 
character  of  those  quiet  and  orderly  teamsters,  will  but  wait 
a  century  or  two,  perhaps  he  will  find  that  democracy  can 
build  a  staircase  as  high  and  complete  as  that  reared  by  the 
aristocracy  of  England.  We  have  had  but  two  centuries  for 
the  construction  of  our  elevated  common  platform,  while  Eng- 
land has  had  a  thousand  years.  There  the  base  of  the 
staircase,  where  the  multitude  stand,  is  either  stationary  or 
sinking ;  but  here  the  platform  is  always  rising,  and  bearing 
the  multitude  to  a  higher  plane. 

A  short  distance  north  of  the  city  of  the  living  is  the  city  of 
the  dead.  It  is  a  pleasant  suburb,  —  one  which  is  adding  week 
by  week  to  its  population.  It  is  laid  out  in  beautiful  avenues, 
grass  bordered,  and  shaded  by  grand  old  forest-trees.  It  is  the 
resting-place  of  the  dust  of  Henry  Clay.  The  monument  to 
his  memory  is  not  yet  finished.  It  is  a  tall,  round  column  upon 
a  broad  base,  with  a  capital,  such  as  the  Greeks  never  saw  or 
dreamed  of,  surmounted  by  a  figure  intended  to  represent  the 
great  statesman  as  he  stood  when  encliaining  vast  audiences  by 
his  matchless  oratory.  Within  the  chamber,  exposed  to  view 
through  the  iron-latticed  door,  star-embellished  and  bronzed, 
lies  the  sarcophagus  of  purest  marble.  It  is  chaste  in  design, 
ornamented  with  gathered  rods  and  bonds  emblematic  of 
union,  and  wreathed  with  cypress  around  its  sides.  The 
pure  white  marble  drapery  is  thrown  partly  back,  exposing 
above  the  breast  of  the  sleeper  a  wreath,  and 

HENRY    CLAY. 

Upon  the  slab  beneath  the  sarcophagus  is  this  simple  inscrip- 
tion :  — 

"  I  can,  with  unbroken  confidence,  appeal  to  the  Divine  Ar- 
biter for  the  truth  of  the  declaration,  that  I  have  been  influ- 
enced by  no  impure  purpose,  no  personal  motive,  —  have  sought 
no  personal  aggrandizement,  but  that  in  all  my  public  acts 
I  have  had  a  sole  and  single  eye,  and  a  warm  devoted  heart, 

•  **  North  America,"  by  Anthony  Trollope,  Vol.  II.  p.  86. 
5 


66  THE  BOYS  OF  '6L  [Feb. 

directed  and  dedicated  to  wHat  in  my  best  judgment  1  believed 
to  be  the  true  interests  of  my  country." 

It  is  not  a  declaration  which  goes  home  to  the  heart  as  that 
simple  recognition  of  the  Christian  religion  which  his  compeer, 
Daniel  Webster,  directed  should  be  placed  above  his  grave  in 
the  secluded  churchyard  at  Marshfield,  but  Mr.  Clay  was  a 
remarkable  man.  Of  all  Americans  who  have  lived,  he  could 
hold  completest  sway  of  popular  assemblies.  Hating  slavery  in 
his  early  life,  he  at  last  became  tolerant  of  its  existence.  He 
cast  the  whole  trouble  of  the  nation  upon  the  Abolitionists.  In 
some  things  he  was  far-sighted  ;  in  others,  obtuse.  In  1843  he 
addressed  a  letter  to  a  friend  who  was  about  to  write  a  pam- 
phlet against  the  Abolitionists,  gi\dng  him  an  outline  of  the 
argument  to  be  used.     Thus  he  wrote :  — 

•*  The  great  aim  and  object  of  your  tract  should  be  to  arouse  the 
laboring  classes  in  the  Free  States  against  abolition.  Depict  the  con- 
sequences to  them  of  immediate  abolition.  The  slaves  being  free, 
would  be  dispersed  throughout  the  Union  ;  they  would  enter  into  com- 
petition with  the  free  laborer,  with  the  American,  the  Irish,  the  Ger- 
man ;  reduce  his  wages ;  be  confounded  with  him,  and  affect  his  moral 
and  social  standing.  And  as  the  ultras  go  for  both  abolition  and  amal- 
gamation, show  that  their  object  is  to  unite  in  marriage  the  laboring 
white  man  and  the  laboring  black  man,  and  to  reduce  the  white  labor- 
ing man  to  the  despised  and  degraded  condition  of  the  black  man. 

"  I  would  show  their  opposition  to  colonization.  Show  its  humane, 
religious,  and  patriotic  aims,  that  they  are  to  separate  those  whom  God 
has  separated.  Why  do  the  Abolitionists  oppose  colonization?  To 
keep  and  amalgamate  together  the  two  races  in  violation  of  God's  will, 
and  to  keep  the  blacks  here,  that  they  may  interfere  with,  degrade,  and 
debase  the  laboring  whites.  Show  that  the  British  nation  is  co-operat- 
ing with  the  Abolitionists,  for  the  purpose  of  dissolving  the  Union."  * 

This  was  written  by  a  reputed  statesman,  who  was  supposed 
to  understand  the  principles  of  political  economy.  The  slaves 
being  made  free  would  enter  in  competition  with  the  free  la- 
borer. But  has  not  the  free  American  laborer  been  forced  to 
compete  through  all  the  years  of  the  past  with  unrequited 
slave  labor  ?  Without  inquiring  into  the  aims  and  purposes 
of  the  Abolitionists,  —  what  they  intended  to  do,  and  how  they 

*  North  American  Review,  January,  1866,  p.  189. 


I862.J  CENTRAL  KENTUCKY.  67 

were  to  do  it,  —  Mr.  Clay  accepted  the  current  talk  of  the  day, 
and  shaped  his  course  accordingly.  That  letter  will  read 
strangely  fifty  years  hence.  It  reads  strangely  now,  and  goes 
far  to  lower  our  estimate  of  the  real  greatness  of  one  who  for 
half  a  century  was  the  idol  of  a  great  political  party,  —  whose 
words  were  taken  as  the  utterances  of  an  oracle.  But  ideas 
and  principles  have  advanced  since  1843.  We  stand  upon  a 
lilgher  plane,  and  are  moving  on  to  one  still  higher. 

Returning  to  the  liotel,  I  fell  into  conversation  with  a  Pres- 
byterian minister,  who  began  to  deplore  the  war. 

"  We  should  conduct  it,"  said  he,  "  not  as  savages  or  barba- 
rians, but  as  Christians,  as  civilized  beings,  on  human  princi- 
ples." 

"  In  what  way  would  you  have  our  generals  act  to  carry  out 
what  you  conceive  to  be  such  principles  ?  " 

"  Well,  sir,  the  blockade  is  terribly  severe  on  our  friends  in 
the  South,  who  are  our  brothers.  The  innocent  are  suffering 
with  the  guilty.  We  should  let  them  have  food,  and  raiment, 
and  medicines,  but  we  should  not  let  them  have  cannon,  guns, 
and  powder." 

"  When  do  you  think  the  war  would  end  if  such  a  plan  was 
adopted  ? " 

He  took  a  new  tack,  not  replying  to  the  question,  but  said, — 

"  The  North  began  the  trouble  in  an  unchristian  spirit." 

"  Was  not  the  first  gun  fired  by  the  Rebels  upon  Fort 
Sumter?" 

"  That  was  not  the  beginning  of  the  war.  It  was  the  elec- 
tion of  Lincoln." 

"  Then  you  would  not  have  a  majority  of  the  people  elect 
their  ofiicers  in  the  constituted  way  ?  " 

"  Well,  if  Lincoln  had  been  a  wise  man  he  would  have  re- 
signed, and  saved  this  terrible  conflict." 

There  is  a  point  beyond  which  forbearance  ceases  to  be  a 
virtue,  and  I  expressed  the  hope  that  the  war  would  be  waged 
with  shot  and  shell,  fire  and  sword,  naval  expeditions  and  block- 
ades, and  every  possible  means,  upon  the  men  who  had  con- 
spired to  subvert  the  government.  There  was  no  reply,  and 
he  soon  left  the  room. 

Buell's  right  wing  under  General  Crittenden,  was  at  CaJ 


fj8  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Feb 

houn,  on  Green  River.  Intelligence  arrived  that  it  was  to  be 
put  in  motion. 

Leaving  Lexington  in  the  morning,  and  passing  by  cars 
through  Frankfort,  —  an  old  town,  the  capital  of  the  State,  like 
Lexington,  seedy  and  dilapidated,  —  we  reached  Louisville  in 
season  to  take  onr  choice  of  the  two  steamers.  Gray  Eagle  and 
Eugene,  to  Henderson.  They  were  both  excellent  boats,  run- 
ning in  opposition,  carrying  passengers  one  hundred  and  eighty 
miles,  providing  for  them  two  excellent  meals  and  a  night's 
lodging,  all  for  fifty  cents  !  People  were  patronizing  both 
boats,  because  it  was  much  cheaper  than  staying  at  home. 

Takhig  the  Gray  Eagle,  —  a  large  side-wheel  steamer,  —  we 
swept  along  with  the  speed  of  a  railroad  train.  The  water  was 
very  high  and  rising.  The  passengers  were  almost  all  from 
Kentucky.  Some  of  the  ladies  thronging  the  saloon  were 
accustomed  to  move  in  the  "  best  society,"  which  had  not  lit- 
erary culture  and  moral  worth  for  its  standards,  but  broad 
acres,  wealth  in  lands  and  distilleries.  They  were  "  raised  '* 
in  Lexington  or  Louisville  or  Frankfort.  They  spoke  of  tho 
"  right  smart "  crowd  on  board,  nearly  "  tew  "  hundred,  accord- 
ing to  their  idea. 

But  there  is  another  class  of  Kentuckians  as  distinct  from 
these  excellent  ladies  as  chalk  from  cheese.  They  are  of  that 
class  to  which  David  Crocket  belonged  in  his  early  years,  — 
born  in  a  cane-brake  and  cradled  in  a  trough.  There  were 
two  in  tho  saloon,  seated  upon  an  ottoman,  —  a  brotlier  and 
sister.  The  brother  was  more  than  six  feet  tall,  had  a  sharp, 
thin,  lank  countenance,  with  a  tuft  of  hair  on  his  chin 
and  on  his  upper  lip.  His  face  was  of  the  color  of  milk  and 
molasses.  He  wore  a -Kentucky  home-spim  suit,  —  coat,  vest 
and  pants  of  the  same  material,  and  colored  with  butternut 
bark.  He  had  on,  although  in  the  saloon,  a  broad-brimmed, 
slouched  hat,  with  an  ornament  of  blotched  mud.  He  was 
evidently  more  at  home  with  his  hat  on  than  to  sit  bare- 
headed,—and  so  consulted  his  own  pleasure,  without  mis- 
trusting that  there  was  such  a  thing  as  politeness  in  the 
world.  He  had  been  plashing  through  the  streets  of  Louis- 
ville. He  had  scraped  off  the  thickest  of  the  mud.  There  he 
sat,  the  right  foot  thrown  across  the  left  knee,  witli  as  much 


1862  ]  CENTRAL   KENTUCKY.  69 

complacency  as  it  is  possible  for  a  mortal  to  manifest.  In  Lis 
own  estimation  he  was  all  right,  although  there  was  a  gap  be- 
tween his  pants  and  vest  of  about  six  inches,  —  a  yellowish 
tawny  streak  of  shirt.  He  sat  in  unconcerned  silence,  or 
stalked  through  the  saloon  with  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  or 
stretched  himself  at  full  length  upon  the  sofa  and  took  a  com- 
fortable snooze. 

His  sister,  —  a  girl  of  eighteen,  —  had  an  oval  face,  arched 
eyebrows,  and  full  cheeks,  flowing,  flaxen  hair,  and  gray  eyes. 
She  wore  a  plain  dress  of  gray  homespun  without  hoops,  and 
when  standing,  appeared  as  if  she  had  encased  herself  in  a 
meal-bag.  There  was  no  neat  white  collar  or  bit  of  ribbon,  or 
cord,  or  tassel,  —  no  attempt  at  feminine  adornment.  She  was 
a  "  nut-brown  maid,"  —  bronzed  by  exposure,  with  a  counte- 
nance as  inexpressive  as  a  piece  of  putty.  A  dozen  ladies 
and  gentlemen  who  came  on  board  at  a  little  town  twenty 
miles  below  Louisville  were  enjoying  themselves,  in  a  circle  of 
their  own,  with  the  play  of  "  Consequences."  The  cabin  rang 
with  their  merry  laughter,  and  we  who  looked  on  enjoyed 
their  happiness ;  but  there  was  no  sign  of  animation  in  her 
countenance,  —  a  block  of  wood  could  not  have  been  more 
unsympathetic. 

Among  the  ladies  on  board  was  one  a  resident  of  Owenb- 
boro',  who,  upon  her  marriage  eight  years  before,  had  moved 
from  the  town  of  Auburn,  New  York,  the  home  of  Mr. 
Seward. 

"  I  was  an  Abolitionist,"  she  said,  "  before  I  left  home,  but 
now  that  I  know  what  slavery  is,  I  like  it.  The  slaveholders 
are  so  independent  and  live  so  easy !  They  can  get  rich  in  a 
few  years ;  and  there  is  no  class  in  the  world  who  can  enjoy  so 
much  of  life  as  they." 

It  was  evidently  a  sincere  expression  of  her  sentiments. 

She  was  for  the  Union,  but  wanted  slavery  let  alone.  The 
strife  in  Owensboro'  had  been  exceedingly  bitter.  Nearly 
all  her  old  friends  and  neighbors  were  rampant  Secessionists. 
Secession,  like  a  sharp  sword,  had  cut  through  society  and  left 
it  in  two  parts,  as  irreconcilable  as  vice  and  virtue.  There  was 
uncompromising  hostility  ready  to  flame  out  into  war  at  any 
moment  in  all  the  Kentucky  towns.     There  was  also  on  board 


70  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Feb. 

a  loud-talking  man  who  walked  the  saloon  with  his  hands  in 
his  pockets,  looking  everybody  square  in  the  face  ;  he  was 
intensely  loyal  to  the  Union. 

"  Why  don't  Bucll  move  ?  Why  don't  Halleck  move  ?  It 
is  my  opinion  that  they  are  both  of  'em  old  grannies.  I  want 
to  see  the  Rebels  licked.  I  have  lived  in  Tophet  for  the  last 
six  months.  I  live  in  Henderson,  and  it  has  been  a  perfect 
hell  ever  since  the  Rebels  fired  on  Fort  Sumter.  I  have  lost 
my  property  through  the  d — d  scoundrels.  I  want  a  regi- 
ment of  Union  troops  to  go  down  there  and  clean  out  the 
devils." 

It  was  early  morning  when  the  scream  of  the  Gray  Eagle 
roused  the  usual  crowd  of  loafers  from  their  sleep  and  inan- 
ition at  Owensboro'.  A  motley  mob  came  down  to  the  wharf 
eager  to  hear  the  news.  I  had  been  informed  that  the  place 
was  one  where  whiskey  distilleries  abound,  and  the  information 
proved  to  be  correct.  The  distillery  buildings  were  distinctly 
recognized  by  their  smoking  chimneys,  creaking  pumps,  and 
steaming  vats.  The  crowd  on  the  shore  had  whiskey  in  their 
looks  and  behavior.  Among  them  was  one  enthusiastic  admirer 
of  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  was  bloated,  blear-eyed,  a  tatterde- 
malion, with  just  enough  whiskey  in  him  to  make  him  thick- 
spoken,  reckless,  and  irresponsible  in  the  eyes  of  his  liquor- 
loving  companions.  While  we  were  at  a  distance  he  swung  his 
hat  and  gave  a  cheer  for  Old  Abe  ;  as  we  came  nearer  he  re- 
peated it ;  and  as  the  plank  was  being  thrown  ashore  he  fairly 
danced  with  ecstasy,  shouting,  "  Hurrah  for  Old  Abe !  He  '11 
fix  'em.     Hurrah  for  Old  Abe  !     Hurrah  for  Old  Abe  !  " 

"  Shet  up,  you  drunken  cuss.  Hurrah  for  Jeff  Davis ! "  was 
the  response  of  another  blear-eyed,  tipsy  loafer. 

The  steamer  Storm  was  tolling  its  bell  as  the  Gray  Eagle 
came  to  the  landing  at  Evansville,  bound  for  Green  River. 
Her  decks  were  piled  with  bags  of  corn  and  coffee.  A  barge 
was  tethered  to  her  side,  loaded  with  bundle  hay  and  a  half- 
dozen  ambulances.  We  were  just  in  time  to  reach  the  deck 
before  the  plank  was  drawn  in.  Then  with  hoarse  puffs  the 
heavily  laden  old  craft  swung  into  the  stream  and  surged  slow- 
ly against  the  swollen  tide  of  the  Ohio.  Green  River  joins  the 
Ohio  ten  miles  above  Evansville.    It  is  a  beautiful  stream,  with 


J  862.]  CENTRAL  KENTUCKY.  71 

forest-bordered  banks.  At  that  season  of  tht  year  there  was 
nothing  particularly  inspiring  to  the  muse  along  this  stream, 
unless  one  can  kindle  a  poetic  flame  in  swamps,  lagoons,  creeks, 
and  log-cabins  standing  on  stilts,  with  water  beneath,  around, 
and  often  within  them.  On  the  spit  of  land  between  the  Ohio 
and  Green  rivers,  on  posts  several  feet  under  water,  was  a  log- 
cabin  ;  a  row-boat  was  tied  to  the  steps,  a  woman  and  a  half- 
dozen  children  stared  at  us  from  the  open  door.  All  around 
was  forest.  A  gentleman  on  board  said  it  was  a  fishing  family. 
If  so,  the  family,  little  ones  and  all,  might  ply  the  piscatory  art 
from  doors  and  windows.  A  more  dreary,  watery  place  can- 
not be  imagined. 

The  Storm  was  not  a  floating  palace  with  gilded  saloons,  vel- 
vet tapestry  carpets,  French  mirrors,  and  a  grand  piano,  but 
an  old  wheezy  tow-boat,  with  great  capacity  below  and  little 
above.  There  was  a  room  for  the  gentlemen,  and  a  little  box 
of  a  place  for  any  ladies  who  might  be  under  the  necessity  of 
patronizing  the  craft. 

There  were  no  soldiers  on  board,  but  thirty  or  forty  passen- 
gers. We  were  a  hard-looking  set.  Our  clothes  were  muddy, 
our  beards  shaggy,  our  countenances  far  from  being  Caucasian 
in  color,  with  sundry  other  peculiarities  of  dress,  feature,  and 
demeanor. 

There  was  one  stout  man  with  an  enormous  quantity  of 
Drown  hair,  and  a  thick  yellow  beard,  belonging  to  Hopkins- 
ville,  near  the  Tennessee  line,  who  had  been  compelled  to  flee 
for  his  life. 

"  We  got  up  a  cannon  company,  and  I  was  captain.  We  had 
as  neat  a  little  six-pounder  as  you  ever  saw ;  but  I  was  obliged 
to  cut  and  run  when  the  Rebels  came  in  December;  but  I 
buried  the  pup  and  the  Secessionists  don't  know  where  she  is  ! 
If  I  ever  get  back  there  I  '11  make  some  of  them  cusses  —  my 
old  neighbors  —  bite  the  dust.  I  have  just  heard  that  they 
have  tied  my  brother  up  and  almost  whipped  him  to  death. 
They  gouged  out  his  eyes,  stamped  in  his  face,  and  have  taken 
all  his  property." 

Here  he  was  obliged  to  stop  his  narrative  and  give  vent  to  a 
long  string  of  oaths,  consigning  the  Rebels  to  all  the  tortures 
and  pains  of  the  bottomless  pit  forever.  Having  disgorged  his 
wrath,  he  said,  — 


72  THE  BOYS   OF  '61.  [Feb. 

"Now,  sir,  there  is  a  grave  judicial  question  on  my  mind, 
and  I  would  like  your  opinion  upon  it.  If  you  owned  a  darkey 
who  should  get  over  into  Indiana,  a  bright,. intelligent  darkey, 
and  he  should  take  with  him  ten  niggers  from  your  secession 
neighbors,  and  you  should  happen  to  know  it,  would  you  send 
them  back  ?  " 

"  No,  sir ;  I  should  not." 

"  That  is  my  mind  'zactly.  I  knew  you  was  a  good  Union 
man  the  moment  I  sot  my  eyes  on  ye."  Then  came  an  inter- 
esting explanation.  He  had  one  slave,  a  devoted  fellow,  who 
had  become  an  active  conductor  on  the  underground  railroad. 
The  slave  had  been  often  to  Evansville  and  knew  the  country, 
and  had  enticed  away  ten  negroes  belonging  to  the  Secession- 
ists in  the  vicinity  of  Hopkinsville.  He  had  seen  them  all  that 
morning,  and  more,  had  given  each  of  them  a  hearty  break- 
fast !     "  You  see,"  said  he,  "  if  they  belonged  to  Union  men  I 

would  have  sent  'em  back  ;  but  they  belonged  to  the  

Secessionists  who  have  driven  me  out,  taken  all  my  property, 
and  do  you  think  I  'd  be  mean  enough  to  send  the  niggers 
back  ? " 

On  board  the  Storm  were  several  other  men  who  had  been 
diiven  from  their  homes  by  the  Secessionists.  There  was 
one  gentleman,  a  slaveholder  from  the  little  town  of  Yolney, 
between  Hopkinsville  and  the  Cumberland  River.  All  of  his 
property  had  been  taken,  his  negroes,  if  they  were  not  sold 
or  seized,  were  roaming  at  will.  He  had  two  brothers  in 
the  Rebel  army.  He  was  a  plain,  sensible,  well-informed 
farmer.  He  lived  close  upon  the  Tennessee  line,  and  was 
acquainted  with  the  Southern  country. 

"  Slavery  is  a  doomed  institution,"  said  he  ;  "  from  Ken- 
tucky, from  Missouri,  from  Maryland  and  Virginia  the  slaves 
have  been  pouring  southward.  There  has  been  a  great  con- 
densation of  slaves  at  the  South  where  they  are  not  wanted, 
and  wliere  they  cannot  be  supported  if  the  blockade  continues. 
The  South  never  has  raised  its  own  provisions.  She  could  do 
it  if  she  put  forth  her  energies ;  but  she  never  has  and  she  will 
not  now.  The  time  will  come,  if  the  blockade  continues,  when 
the  master  will  be  compelled  to  say  to  the  slaves,  *  Get  your  liv- 
ing where  you  can,'  and  then  the  system,  being  rolled  back 


1862.]  CENTRAL  KENTUCKY.  78 

upon  itself,  will  be  broken  up.  As  for  myself,  I  would  like  to 
have  kept  my  slaves,  because  I  am  getting  along  in  years  and 
I  wanted  them  to  take  care  of  me ;  but  as  the  Secessionists 
have  taken  tlicm  and  driven  me  out,  it  won't  make  any  dififer- 
ence  to  me  whether  the  system  is  continued  or  not." 

It  is  utterly  impossible  to  convey  to  a  New-Englander  who 
has  never  crossed  tlio  Hudson  a  correct  idea  of  a  Kentucky 
country  village,  like  that  of  Calhoun,  as  seen  from  the  deck  of 
the  steamer  Storm,  in  the  light  of  a  beautiful  morning,  so  mild 
and  spring-like  that  the  robins,  bluebirds,  jays,  pewits,  and 
sparrows  were  filling  the  air  with  tlieir  songs,  having  returned 
from  their  sojourn  in  a  Southern  clime.  A  sentinel  was  plash- 
ing through  the  mud  along  tlie  bank,  guarding  the  ferry  to  the 
town  of  Rumsey,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  The  bank 
rises  abruptly  into  the  main  street  of  the  town.  First  we  have 
the  McLean  House,  the  first-class  hotel  of  the  place,  —  a  wood- 
en building  two  stories  high,  containing  six  or  eight  rooms. 
There  is  beyond  it  one  brick  building,  then  a  number  of  smaller 
buildings  containing  a  couple  of  rooms  each,  and  forty  rods 
distant  a  church,  respectable  in  style  and  proportions.  The 
land  is  undulating,  and  on  the  hillsides  there  are  dwellings,  a 
half-dozen  of  which  you  might  call  comfortable.  The  original 
forest  oaks  are  still  standing.  A  creek  or  bayou  runs  through 
the  town,  the  receptacle  of  all  the  filth  generated  by  ten  thou- 
sand men,  and  thousands  of  mules,  horses,  and  hogs. 

Rumsey,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  is  of  smaller  di- 
mensions. Years  ago  it  was  a  "  right  smart "  town,  but  busi- 
ness has  disappeared.  The  people  have  also  gone,  and  now 
one  sees  a  row  of  windowless,  doorless,  deserted  houses,  soaked 
in  every  flood  of  waters. 

Visiting  the  "  first  class  "  hotel  of  the  place,  we  sat  down  in 
the  parlor  or  reception-room,  or  whatever  room  it  was,  while 
the  cook  prepared  breakfast.  It  was  also  the  landlord's  bed- 
room, occupied  by  himself  and  wife. 

Calling  upon  the  landlord  for  a  place  for  toilet  operations, 
we  wore  invited  into  the  kitchen  which  was  also  the  dining- 
room  and  pantry  and  Jim's  bed-room,  —  Jim  being  a  tall 
negro,  who  just  now  is  wasliing  dishes,  with  a  tin  pan  of  hot 
water,  and  without  any  soap.     Dinah  is  rolling  biscuit,  and 


/4  THE   iiUYS   OF  'til.  [Feo. 

tending  the  hoe-cake,  which  is  cooking  nicely  on  the  stove. 
There  is  the  flour-barrel  close  at  hand.  There  is  one  dinner- 
pot,  with  two  kettles,  a  pail  of  water,  a  lantern,  the  pepper-box, 
a  dish  of  fat,  a  plate  of  butter,  and  a  great  heap  of  tin  dishes 
on  the  table,  where  Dinah  is  moulding  ihe  biscuit,  while  Jim 
occupies  the  other  end.  The  dining-table  stands  in  the  centre 
of  the  room.  The  plates  are  laid,  and  the  whole  is  covered 
with  a  blue  cloth,  which  at  first  sight  seems  to  be  a  soldier's 
blanket,  and  which  upon  close  inspection  leaves  us  still  in 
doubt  whether  it  is  a  table-cloth  or  a  bed-coverlet.  There  are 
some  chairs,  and  an  old  desk  which  has  lost  its  lid,  in  which 
are  nails,  a  hammer,  some  old  papers,  and  a  deal  of  dust.  It 
evidently  "  came  down  from  a  former  generation." 

We  have  time  to  notice  these  things  while  the  landlord  is 
preparing  for  our  washing  exploit,  which  is  to  be  performed 
near  Jim,  with  a  basin  on  a  chair. 

Then  we  have  breakfast,  —  beefsteak  and  porksteak,  and 
buckwheat  cakes,  all  fried  in  lard,  sausages,  potatoes,  Dinah's 
hoe-cakes,  hot  flour  biscuit,  and  a  dish  of  hash,  which  will 
not  go  down  at  all,  and  coffee  without  milk,  preferred  to 
the  water  of  Green  River,  which  in  its  natural  state  is  some- 
what the  color  of  yellow  snuff,  and  which  is  drank  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Calhoun,  notwithstanding  thousands  of  horses 
are  stabled  on  its  banks.  ^ 

There  was  no  movement  of  the  troops,  therefore  nothing 
to  detain  us  at  Calhoun,  and  knowing  that  there  was  some- 
thing of  interest  up  the  Cumberland  and  Tennessee  rivers, 
we  went  on  board  the  Mattie  Cook,  the  downward-bound 
steamer.  While  waiting  for  her  departure  we  gazed  at  the 
sights  upon  the  shore.  There  was  a  great  deal  of  life, — 
wagons,  soldiers,  citizens  floundering  through  the  mud  to  the 
landing,  transporting  goods.  There  were  ludicrous  scenes  of 
men  and  teams  stuck  in  the  mortar-bed ;  but  in  the  midst  of 
life  there  was  death.  A  squad  of  soldiers  came  down  from 
camp  to  the  hospital  with  a  bier,  and  with  the  slow  funeral 
dirge  brought  two  of  their  comrades  to  the  boat,  —  iwo 
who  had  just  passed  from  the  scenes  of  strife  on  earth  to 
the  eternal  peace  beyond.  Those  who  bore  them  were 
hv  no  means  unaffected  by  the  part  they  were  called  upon 


1862.] 


CENTRAL  KENTUCKY. 


T^ 


to  perform.  There  were  sad  countenances,  too,  on  board  the 
boat,  —  two  ladies,  both  strangers  to  the  dead,  but  not  indiffer- 
ent to  the  scene.  They  had  woman's  tender  sensibilities,  and 
could  not  keep  back  the  tears  from  their  eyes,  for  they  thought 
of  their  own  sons  whom  they  had  just  left,  and  who  now  stood 
upon  the  bank  to  say  perhaps  a  last  good-by. 

But  how  transitory  are  all  the  most  solemn  impressions  of 
death !  Ten  minutes  later  a  company  of  soldiers  appeared 
for  a  trip  down  the  river  to  Stevensport  to  bag,  if  possible,  the 
squad  of  Rebels  which  had  been  prowling  about  the  town  of 
Stevensport.  They  came  on  board  with  a  hurrah,  and  made 
the  welkin  ring  with  the  "  Red,  White,  and  Blue."  It  was  a 
pleasure  to  them  to  leave  the  hateful  place  even  for  a  ni^ht, 
and  be  in  active  service. 


BALTIMORE   IN    1861. 


76  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  fFeb 


CHAPTER    VI. 

THE   OPENING   OF   THE    CAMPAIGN   IN   TENNESSEE. 

At  last  the  Rebel  lines  were  broken.  Commodore  Foote  had 
opened  a  gateway  to  the  heart  of  the  Confederacy  by  the  cap- 
ture of  Fort  Henry  on  the  6th  of  February.  While  up  Green 
River  I  learned  of  the  intended  movement,  and  hastened  to  be 
present,  but  was  delayed  between  Evansville  and  Paducah,  and 
was  not  in  season  to  see  the  engagement. 

Late  on  the  Friday  evening  after  I  saw  Commodore  Foote  in 
Cairo.     He  had  just  returned  from  Fort  Henry. 

"  Can  you  favor  me  with  an  account  of  the  affair  ?  '*  I  asked. 

"  It  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to  do  so  after  I  have  pre- 
pared my  despatches  for  Washington,"  he  replied. 

It  was  past  midnight  when  he  came  to  my  room.  He  sat 
down,  and  leaned  back  wearily  in  his  chair.  But  soon  recov- 
ering his  usual  energy,  gave  the  full  details  of  the  action. 
He  had  prepared  his  instructions  to  his  crews  several  days  be- 
fore the  battle,  and  upon  mature  thought,  saw  nothing  to 
change. 

To  the  commanders  and  crews  he  said,  that  it  was  very 
necessary  to  success  that  they  should  keep  cooL  He  desired 
them  to  fire  with  deliberate  aim,  and  not  to  attempt  rapid 
firing,  for  four  reasons,  viz.  that  with  rapid  firing  there  was 
always  a  waste  of  ammunition ;  that  their  range  would  be 
wild ;  that  the  enemy  would  be  encouraged  unless  the  fire  was 
effectual ;  that  it  was  desirable  not  to  heat  the  guns. 

With  these  instructions  he  led  his  fleet  up  the  narrow  chan 
nel  under  cover  of  Pine  Island,  thus  avoiding  long-range  shot 
from  the  rifled  guns  which  it  was  known  the  enemy  had  in 
position  to  sweep  the  main  channel.  He  steamed  slow,  to  allow 
the  troops  time  to  gain  their  position. 

He  visited  each  vessel  and  gave  personal  directions.  He  took 
his  own  position  in  the  pilot-house  of  the  Cincinnati.     The  St. 


1862.]         THE   OPENING  OF  THE   CAlilPAIGN  IN   TENNESSEE.  77 

Louis  was  on  his  right  hand  and  the  Carondelct  and  Essex 
were  on  his  left,  with  the  Tyler,  Conncstoga,  and  Lexington  in 
rear.  There  is  an  island  a  mile  and  a  quarter  below  the  fort. 
When  the  head  of  the  island  was  reached  the  boats  came  into 
line  and  were  within  easy  range. 

"  Do  just  as  I  do,"  was  his  last  order  to  the  commanders. 

The  Cincinnati  opened,  and  the  other  vessels  were  quick  to 
follow  the  Commodore's  example. 

"  I  had  a  definite  purpose  in  view,"  said  he,  "  to  take  tlio 
fort  at  all  hazards.  It  was  necessary  for  the  success  of  tho 
cause.  We  have  had  disaster  upon  disaster,  and  I  intended, 
God  helping  me,  to  win  a  victory.  It  made  me  feel  bad  when 
I  saw  the  Essex  drop  out  of  the  line,  but  I  knew  that  the  fort 
could  n't  stand  it  much  longer.  I  should  have  opened  my 
broadsides  in  a  minute  or  two,  if  Tilghman  had  not  surren- 
dered, and  that  I  knew  would  settle  the  question.  We  wero 
not  more  than  four  hundred  yards  distant." 

He  said  that  when  the  Essex  droj^pcd  behind  the  Rebels  set 
up  a  tremendous  cheer,  and  redoubled  their  fire ;  but  being 
excited  their  aim  was  bad. 

"  There  is  nothing  like  keeping  perfectly  cool  in  battle," 
said  he. 

"  When  Tilghman  came  into  my  cabin,"  said  the  Commo- 
dore, "  he  asked  for  terms,  but  I  informed  him  that  his  surren- 
der must  be  final." 

"  Well,  sir,  if  I  must  surrender,  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  sur 
render  to  so  brave  an  ofiicer  as  you,"  said  Tilghman. 

"  You  do  perfectly  right  to  surrender,  sir ;  but  I  should  not. 
have  surrendered  on  any  condition." 

"  Why  so  ?     I  do  not  understand  you." 

"  Because  I  was  fully  determined  to  capture  the  fort  or  go 
to  the  bottom." 

The  Rebel  general  opened  his  eyes  at  this  remark,  but  re- 
plied, "  I  thought  I  had  you.  Commodore,  but  you  were  too 
much  for  me." 

"  But  how  could  you  figlit  against  the  old  flag  ?  " 

"  Well,  it  did  come  hard  at  first ;  but  if  the  North  had  only 
let  us  alone  there  would  have  been  no  trouble.  But  they 
would  not  abide  by  the  Constitution." 


78  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [FeD. 

"  You  are  mistaken,  sir.  Tlie  North  has  maintained  all  of 
her  Constitutional  obligations.  You  of  the  South  have  per- 
jured yourselves.  I  talked  to  him  faithfully,"  said  the  zealouj* 
officer. 

The  Commodore  was  now  nervously  restless,  but  said :  "  1 
never  slept  better  in  my  life  than  I  did  the  night  before  going 
into  the  battle,  and  I  never  prayed  more  fervently  than  I  did 
yesterday  morning,  that  God  would  bless  the  undertaking,  and 
he  has  signally  answered  my  prayer.  I  don't  deserve  it,  but 
I  trust  that  I  shall  be  grateful  for  it.  But  I  could  n't  sleep 
last  night  for  thinking  of  those  poor  fellows  on  board  the  Essex, 
who  were  wounded  and  scalded.  I  told  the  surgeons  to  do 
everything  possible  for  them.  Poor  fellows !  I  must  go  and 
see  that  they  are  well  cared  for." 

It  was  one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  yet  exhausted  as  he  was, 
he  went  to  see  that  the  sufferers  were  having  every  possible 
attention. 

This  was  on  Saturday  morning;  the  next  day  he  went  to 
church  as  usual.  The  minister  was  not  there,  and  after  wait- 
ing awhile  the  audience  one  by  one  began  to  drop  off,  where- 
upon Commodore  Foote  entered  the  pulpit,  and  conducted  the 
exercises,  reading  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  John's  Gospel,  and 
addressed  the  congregation,  urging  sinners  to  repentance,  pic- 
turing the  unspeakable  love  of  Christ,  and  the  rewards  which 
await  the  righteous,  and  closing  the  services  by  a  fervent 
prayer.  It  was  as  unostentatious  as  all  his  other  acts,  under- 
taken with  a  dutiful  desire  to  benefit  those  about  him,  and  to 
glorify  God.     That  was  his  aim  in  life. 

The  Rebel  troops  which  were  in  and  around  Fort  Henry  fled 
in  dismay  soon  after  the  opening  of  the  bombardment,  leaving 
all  their  camp  equipage.  In  the  barracks  the  camp-fires  were 
still  blazing,  and  dinners  cooking,  when  our  troops  entered. 
Books,  letters  half  written,  trunks,  carpet-bags,  knives,  pistols, 
were  left  behind,  and  were  eagerly  seized  by  the  soldiers,  who 
rent  the  air  with  shouts  of  laughter,  mingled  with  the  cheers 
of  victory. 

Although  not  present,  a  letter  fell  into  my  hands  written  by 
a  father  in  Mississippi  to  his  sons,  which  gives  an  insight  into 
the  condition  of  affairs  in  the  Confederacy  at  that  time :  — 


1^2.]         THE  OPENING   OF  THE   CAMPAIGN  IN    TENNESSEE.  79 

"Bear  Creek,  Miss.,  Dec.  16, 1861. 

•*  To  MY  DEAR  BOTS  SaMMIB  AND  ThOMAS  :  — 

"  Aftnr  a  long  silence  I  will  tell  you  some  little  news.  I  told  C.  D 
Moore  to  tell  you  that  paper  was  very  scarce  in  this  wooden  world.  1 
went  to  Vaidere  to  get  this,  and  was  glad  to  get  it  at  50  cents  per 
quire. 

"  The  health  of  our  country  is  pretty  good.  Crops  are  very  short ; 
com  and  cotton  —  especially  cotton  —  not  quite  half  a  crop,  though  it 
does  n't  matter,  as  we  can't  get  any  money  for  it.  For  my  part  I  know 
not  what  Ave  are  to  do.  I  have  n't  a  red  cent.  My  intention  now  is  to 
plant  only  about  eight  acres  in  cotton  ;  that  will  make  enough  to  buy 
or  barter  my  groceries.  I  fear,  my  children,  we  will  not  live  to  see  as 
prosperous  a  time  after  this  revolution  as  there  was  before  it.  I  often 
think  of  the  language  of  our  Saviour :  '  Eloi,  Eloi,  lama  sabacthani,' 
—  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ?  I  verily  believe  all 
this  calamity  has  come  upon  us  for  our  wickedness.  Religion  is  down 
like  cotton,  —  not  worth  much ;  and  by  the  actions  of  good  brethren  it 
might  be  bought  for  a  mere  trifle,  though  if  we  were  to  judge  from  its 
sparseness,  like  salt,  it  would  be  worth  $  40  per  sack. 

"  0  my  God,  what  will  become  of  us  '^  Go,  if  you  please,  to  the 
churchyard,  and  you  will  hear  nothing  but  secular  affairs  and  wary 
war!  Dull  times  everywhere.  Money  scarce;  pork  high,  — 10  to 
12 J-  cents  per  pound;  salt  the  same;  coffee  $1.50  per  pound,  and 
none  to  be  had  at  that ;  calico  30  to  50  cents  per  yard ;  domestics  20 
to  25  cents  per  yard;  sugar  6  to  12^  cents ;  molasses  30  to  40  cents, 
and  everything  in  the  same  ratio." 

The  capture  of  Fort  Donelson  and  the  troops  defending  It, 
was  the  first  great  acliievement  of  the  Union  armies.  The 
affair  at  Mill  Spring,  and  the  taking  of  Roanoke  Island  by 
Burnside,  were  important,  but  minor  engagements  when  com- 
pared with  the  breaking  in  of  the  Rebel  line  of  defence  on  the 
Cumberland  and  Tennessee.  The  fighting  on  Saturday,  the 
last  day  of  the  series  of  battles,  was  desperate  and  bloody. 
The  ground  on  the  right  in  the  morning,  when  the  Rebels 
moved  out  and  overwhelmed  McClernand,  was  hotly  contest- 
ed. Grant's  lines  were  so  extended  and  necessarily  thin  that 
the  Rebels  were  enabled  to  push  McClernand  back  nearly  two 
miles.  This  was  done  by  Pillow  and  Bushrod  Johnson,  who 
gained  McClcrnand's  flank.  Buckner,  however,  who  was  to 
strike  McClernand's   left,  was   slow  in  advancing       Had  he 


80  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [Feb. 

moved  as  rapidly  as  the  other  divisions,  McClcrnand  would  have 
been  utterly  routed.  It  was  then  that  W.  H.  L.  Wallace,  of  Illi- 
nois, showed  his  great  military  ability.  He  had  been  in  the 
Mexican  war,  was  courageous,  and  had  that  power  of  presence 
which  made  every  man  feel  that  he  was  under  the  eye  of  his 
commander.  Then,  too,  General  Logan  animated  his  men, 
and  held  them  in  close  contact  with  the  Rebels  till  wounded. 

The  charge  of  General  C.  F.  Smith's  division  on  the  left,  in 
the  afternoon  of  Saturday,  was  sublime.  General  Smith  was 
an  old  soldier,  who  had  served  in  Mexico.  His  hair  was  long 
and  white,  and  as  he  rode  along  his  lines,  making  arrangements 
for  the  advance,  he  was  the  most  conspicuous  of  all  men  on 
the  field.  He  paid  no  heed  to  the  rifle  and  musket  balls  which 
were  singing  about  his  ears ;  he  sat  firmly  on  his  horse. 
When  his  lines  were  ready,  he  led  them,  with  his  cap  on  the 
point  of  his  sword. 

It  was  sunset  or  nearly  that  hour,  when  his  division  moved 
to  the  attack  of  the  outer  works,  at  the  southwest  angle  of  the 
fort.  Tliere  was  a  steady  advance  through  an  open  field, — 
a  rush  up  the  hill,  —  a  cheer,  —  the  rout  of  Hanson's  brigade 
of  Rebels,  the  Second  Kentucky,  Twentieth  Mississippi,  and 
Thirtieth  Tennessee,  —  a  long,  loud  shout  of  triumph,  min- 
gled with  the  roar  of  cannon,  and  the  rolls  of  musketry  from 
the  fort,  pouring  upon  them  a  concentrated  fire  ! 

Tlio  scene  at  Donclson  on  Sunday  morning,  the  day  of  sur- 
render, was  exceedingly  exhilarating,  —  the  marching  in  of  the 
notorious  divisions,  —  the  bands  playing,  their  flags  waving, 
the  cheers  of  the  troops,  —  the  gunboats  firing  a  salute, — 
the  immense  flotilla  of  river  steamboats  gayly  decorated !  The 
New  Uncle  Sam  was  the  boat  on  which  General  Grant  had 
established  his  head-quarters.  The  Uncle  Sam,  at  a  signal 
from  Commodore  Footc,  ranged  ahead,  came  alongside  one  of 
ihc  gunboats,  and,  followed  by  all  the  fleet,  steamed  up  river 
past  Fort  Donolson,  thick  with  Confederate  soldiers,  —  past  the 
intrenched  camp  of  log-huts,  past  a  school-house  on  a  hill, 
above  which  waved  the  hospital  flag,  —  and  on  to  Dover,  the 
gunboats  thundering  a  national  salute  the  wliilc. 

A  warp  was  thrown  ashore,  the  plank  run  out.  I  sprang 
ap  the  bank,  and  mingled  among  the  disconsolate  creatures, — 


1&62.]         THE   OPENING   OF  THE   CAJIPAIGN  IN   TENNESSEE.  81 

a  care-worn,  haggard,  melancholy  crowd  which  stood  upon  tho 
heights  above.  They  all  told  one  story,  claiming  that  they  had 
fought  well ;  that  we  outnumbered  them ;  that  there  was  a  dis- 
agreement among  their  officers  ;  that  we  had  got  General  Buck- 
ner ;  that  Floyd  and  Pillow  had  escaped ;  that  Floyd  had  taken 
four  regiments  of  his  brigade  ;  that  there  were  four  steamers  ; 
that  they  went  off  crowded  with  soldiers,  the  guards  sunk  to 
the  water's  edge. 

The  town  of  Dover  is  the  county  seat  of  Stewart,  and  a  point 
where  the  farmers  ship  their  produce.  It  is  a  straggling  village 
on  uneven  ground,  and  contains  perhaps  five  hundred  inliabi- 
tants.  There  are  a  few  buildings  formerly  used  for  stores, 
a  doctor's  office,  a  dilapidated  church,  a  two-story  square  brick 
court-house,  and  a  half-dozen  decent  dwellings.  But  the 
place  had  suffered  greatly  while  occupied  by  the  Secession 
forces.  Nearly  every  building  was  a  hospital.  Trees  had  been 
cut  down,  fences  burned,  windows  broken,  and  old  buildings 
demolished  for  fuel. 

We  came  upon  a  squad  of  soldiers  hovering  around  a  fire. 
Some  were  wrapped  in  old  patched  bcdquilts  which  had  cov- 
ered them  at  home.  Some  had  white  blankets,  made  mostly 
of  cotton.  Others  wore  bright  becking,  which  had  evidently 
Deen  furnished  from  a  merchant's  stock.  One  had  a  faded 
piece  of  threadbare  carpet.  Their  guns  were  stacked,  their 
equipments  thrown  aside,  cartridge-boxes,  belts,  and  ammuni- 
tion trampled  in  the  mud.  There  were  shot-guns,  single  and 
double-barreled,  old  heavy  rifles,  flint-lock  muskets  of  1828, 
some  of  them  altered  into  percussion  locks,  with  here  and 
Hiere  an  Enfield  rifle. 

A  few  steps  brought  me  to  the  main  landing,  where  tlie  Con 
federate  stores  were  piled,  and  from  which  Floyd  made  his 
escape.  The  gunboats  were  lying  off  the  landing,  and  a  por- 
tion of  McClcrnand's  division  was  on  the  hills  beyond,  tlie 
stars  and  stripes  and  the  regimental  banners  waving,  and  the 
bands  playing.  Away  up  on  the  hill  Taylor's  battery  was  firing 
a  national  salute. 

There  were  sacks  of  corn,  tierces  of  rice,  sides  of  bacon, 
barrels  of  flour,  hogsheads  of  sugar,  sufficient  for  several  days* 
rations.     Then  there  was  a  dense  crowd  of  Secessionists,  evi- 

,6 


82  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [Fcb. 

dently  the  rabble,  or  the  debris  of  the  army,  belonging  to  all 
regiments.  Some  were  sullen,  some  indifferent,  some  evidently 
felt  a  sense  of  relief,  mingled  with  their  apprehensions  for  the 
future.  Among  them  were  squads  of  our  own  soldiers,  with 
smiling  faees,  feeling  very  much  at  home,  but  manifesting  no 
disposition  to  add  to  the  unhappiness  of  the  captured. 

General  McClernand's  division  had  marched  down  to  tlie 
outskirts  of  the  ^dllage,  and  was  keeping  guard.  A  private 
ran  into  the  coiirt-house  and  threw  the  flag  of  the  Union  to 
the  breeze  from  the  belfry.  Soldiers  of  our  army  were  inspect- 
ing the  shops  of  tlie  place.  In  the  basement  of  a  store  was  the 
Confederate  arsenal.  There  were  piles  of  rifles,  old  shot-guns, 
many  of  them  ticketed  with  the  owner's  name.  There  were 
many  hunter's  rifles,  which  had  done  good  service  in  other 
days  among  the  mountains  and  forests  of  Tennessee,  but,  for 
use  in  battle,  of  but  little  account. 

In  another  building  was  the  Commissary  department.  There 
were  hogsheads  of  sugar,  barrels  of  rice,  boxes  of  abominable 
soap,  and  a  few  barrels  of  flour.  Later  in  the  day  we  saw 
soldiers  luxuriating  like  children  in  the  hogsheads  of  sugar. 
Many  a  one  fllled  his  canteen  with  New  Orleans  molasses  and 
his  pockets  with  damp  brown  sugar.  Looking  into  a  store  we 
found  a  squad  of  soldiers  taking  things  of  no  eartlily  use.  One 
had  a  looking-glass  under  his  arm,  one  a  paper  of  files,  another 
several  brass  candlesticks,  one  a  package  of  bonnets. 

The  Mississippians  and  Texans  were  boiling  over  with  rage 
against  Floyd  and  Pillow  for  having  deserted  them. 

"Floyd  always  was  a  d — d  thief  and  sneak,"  said  one. 

Just  before  sunset  we  took  a  ramble  through  the  grounds 
and  encampments  of  the  Rebels,  who  were  falling  into  line 
preparatory  to  embarking  upon  the  steamers.  Standing  on 
a  hill  beyond  the  village,  we  had  at  one  view  almost  all  their 
force.  Hogarth  never  saw  such  a  sight ;  Sliakespcare,  in  his 
conceptions  of  Falstaff's  tatterdemalions,  could  not  have  imag- 
ined the  like,  —  not  that  they  were  deficient  in  intellect,  or 
wanting  in  courage,  for  among  them  were  noble  men,  bravo 
fellows,  who  shed  tears  when  they  found  they  were  prisoners 
of  war,  and  who  swore  with  round  oatlis  that  they  would  shoot 
Floyd  as  they  would  a  dog,  if  they  could  get  a  chance,  but  that 


1862.]         THE  OPENING   OF  THE  CAJIPAIGN  IN  TENNESSEE.  83 

for  grotesque  appearance  they  were  never  equalled,  except  by 
the  London  bagmen  and  chiffoniers  of  Paris. 

There  were  all  sorts  of  uniforms,  brown-colored  predominat- 
ing, as  if  they  were  in  the  snuff  business  and  had  been  rolled 
in  tobacco-dust.  There  was  sheep  gray,  iron  gray,  blue  gray, 
dirty  gray,  with  bed  blankets,  quilts,  buffalo-robes,  pieces  of 
carpeting  of  all  colors  and  figures,  for  blankets.  Each  had  his 
pack  on  his  shoulder.  Judging  by  their  garments,  one  would 
have  thought  that  the  last  scrapings,  the  odds  and  ends  of  hu- 
manity and  of  dry  goods,  had  been  brought  together. 

The  formal  surrender  of  the  fort  took  place  in  the  cabin  of 
the  New  Uncle  Sam  in  the  evening.  Buckner  sat  on  one  side 
of  the  table  and  General  Grant  on  the  other.  Buckner  was 
attended  by  two  of  his  staff.  The  Rebel  commander  was  in 
the  prime  of  life,  although  his  hair  had  turned  iron  gray.  He 
WQ"^  of  medium  stature,  having  a  low  foreliead  and  thin  cheeks, 
wore  a  moustache  and  meagre  whiskers.  He  had  on  a  light-bluo 
kersey  overcoat  and  a  checked  neckcloth.  He  was  smoking  a 
cigar,  and  talking  in  a  low,  quiet  tone.  He  evidently  felt  that  ho 
was  in  a  humiliating  position,  but  his  deportment  was  such  as 
to  command  respect  when  contrasted  with  the  course  of  Floyd 
and  Pillow.     His  chief  of  staff  sat  by  his  side. 

Buckner  freely  gave  information  relative  to  his  positions,  his 
forces,  their  disposition,  and  his  intentions.  Ho  expected  to 
escape,  and  claimed  that  the  engagements  on  Saturday  were 
all  in  favor  of  the  Confederates.  No  opprobrious  words  were 
used  by  any  one.  No  discussions  entered  into.  He  asked 
for  subsistence  for  his  men,  and  said  that  he  had  only  two  days' 
provisions  on  hand.  He  had  favors  to  ask  for  some  of  his 
wounded  officers,  all  of  which  were  readily  acceded  to  by  Gen- 
eral Grant,  who  was  very  much  at  ease,  smoking  a  cigar,  and 
conducting  the  business  with  dignity,  yet  with  despatch. 

The  prisoners  were  taken  on  board  of  the  transports,  the 
men  on  the  lower  deck,  and  the  officers  having  the  freedom  of 
the  boat.  The  saloons  and  cabins,  berths  and  state-rooms  were 
filled  with  the  wounded  of  both  armies. 

"  The  conditions  of  the  surrender  have  been  most  shame- 
fully violated,"  said  a  tall,  dark-haired,  black-eyed  Mississippi 
colonel,  on  board  the  Belle  of  Memphis. 


84  THE   BOYS    OF  '61.  [Fcb 

"  How  so  ? "  I  asked. 

"  It  was  agreed  that  wc  should  be  treated  like  gentlemen, 
but  the  steward  of  the  boat  won't  let  us  have  seats  at  the  table. 
He  charges  us  a  half-dollar  a  meal,  and  refuses  Confederate 
money." 

"  Well,  sir,  you  fare  no  worse  than  the  rest  of  us.  I  paid 
for  a  state-room,  but  the  surgeon  turned  me  out  and  put  in  a 
wounded  man,  which  was  all  right  and  proper,  and  at  which  1 
liave  no  complaint  to  make,  and  I  shall  think  myself  well  off 
if  I  can  get  hard-tack." 

While  conversing  with  him,  a  Mississippi  captain  came  up, — 
a  tall,  red-whiskered,  tobacco-chewing,  ungainly  fellow,  with  a 
swaggering  air.  "  This  is  d — d  pretty  business.  They  talk  of 
reconstructing  the  Union,  and  begin  by  rejecting  our  money. 
T  don't  get  anything  to  eat,"  he  said. 

I  directed  his  attention  to  a  barrel  of  bacon  and  several 
boxes  of  bread  which  had  been  opened  for  the  prisoners,  and 
from  which  they  were  helping  themselves.  He  turned  away  in 
disgust,  saying, — 

"Ofliccrsare  to  be  treated  according  to  their  rank,  —  like 
gentlemen,  —  and  I'll  be  d — d  if  I  don't  pitch  in  and  give 
somebody  a  licking  !  " 

Some  of  the  officers  on  board  conducted  themselves  with 
perfect  decorum.  One  young  physician  gave  his  services  to 
our  wounded. 

Although  Commodore  Foote  had  been  wounded  in  the  gun- 
boat attack  upon  the  fort,  he  intended  to  push  up  the  river  to 
Naslivillc,  and  intercept  General  Albert  Sidney  Johnston,  who 
he  knew  must  be  falluig  back  from  Bowling  Green,  but  he  was 
stopped  by  a  despatch  from  General  Ilalleck  to  General  Grant. 
"  Don't  let  Foote  go  up  the  river." 

The  gunboats  could  have  reached  Nashville  in  eight  hours. 
Floyd  and  Pillow,  who  made  their  escape  from  Donelson  at  sun- 
rise, reached  the  city  before  noon,  while  the  congregations  were 
in  the  churches.  Ilad  Commodore  Foote  followed  he  would 
have  been  in  the  city  by  three  o'clock,  holding  the  bridges, 
patrolling  tlie  rivers,  and  cutting  off  Johnston's  retreat.  Buel) 
had  between  thirty  and  forty  thousand  men,  Johnston  less  than 
twenty.     On  the  heel  of  the  demoralization  incident  to  the 


1862.  J         THE   OPENING    OF   THE   CAMPAIGN   IN   TEN'NESSEE.  85 

rout  at  Mill  Springs,  Fort  Henry,  and  the  loss  at  Donelson,  tho 
entire  Rebel  army  in  the  West  could  have  been  destroyed,  but 
for  tho  dictation  of  General  Halleck,  sitting  in  the  planter's 
house  five  hundred  miles  distant. 

"  Had  I  been  permitted  to  carry  out  my  intention  we  should 
have  put  an  end  to  the  rebellion  in  the  West,"  said  Commo- 
dore Foote. 

General  Halleck  had  endeavored  to  enforce  his  order  No.  3, 
.!7xcluding  negroes  from  his  lines,  but  before  daybreak  on  Sun- 
day morning  at  Donelson  a  negro  entered  tho  lines,  having 
made  his  way  out  from  Dover,  past  the  Rebel  pickets.  He 
reported  that  the  Rebels  were  fleeing.  Some  of  the  oilliccrs 
suggested  that  ho  was  sent  out  to  lure  Grant  into  a  trap,  and 
proposed  to  tie  him  up  and  give  him  a  whipping. 

"  You  may  hang  me,  shoot  me,  do  anything  to  me,  if  it 
a'n't  as  I  tell  you,"  was  his  earnest  reply. 

One  hour  later  came  the  Rebel  flag  of  truce  from  Buckncr, 
asking  for  the  appointment  of  Commissioners ;  but  the  infor- 
mation already  obtained  enabled  Grant  to  reply :  "  I  propose 
to  move  immediately  upon  your  works." 

The  negro  was  a  slave,  who  entered  the  Union  lines  in  search 
of  freedom,  —  that  which  his  soul  most  longed  for.  General 
Grant  did  not  exclude  him.  Like  a  sensible  man,  he  took  no 
action  in  the  matter,  gave  no  directions  as  to  what  should 
bo  done  with  him.  The  slave  being  at  liberty  to  decide  for 
himself,  took  passage  on  a  transport  for  Cairo.  The  steamer 
stopped  at  a  landing  for  wood,  when  the  slave  was  recognized 
by  some  of  the  citizens,  who  said  that  he  belonged  to  a  Union 
man,  and  demanded  that  he  should  be  put  off  the  boat.  Tho 
captain  of  the  steamer  was  inclined  to  accede  to  their  demands  ; 
but  Uie  officers  on  board,  knowing  what  service  he  had  ren- 
dered, informed  the  captain  that  he  need  not  be  under  any 
apprehensions  of  arrest  by  civil  process,  as  martial  law  was  in 
force.  They  kept  the  negro  under  their  protection,  and  gave 
him  his  liberty,  thus  setting  at  defiance  General  Halleck  and 
liis  pTO-slavery  order. 

A  great  many  negroes  came  into  the  lines,  and  were  welcomed 

j  by  the  soldiers.     Among  them  was  a  boy,  black  as  anthracite, 

with  large,  lustrous  eyes,  and  teeth  as  white  as  j^urest  ivory. 


8b  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Marcn, 

He  was  thirteen  years  old,  born  in  Kentucky,  but  for  several 
years  had  lived  near  Dover.  His  master,  he  said,  was  a  gentle- 
man, owned  twenty-four  slaves.  He  had  on  a  greasy  shirt  of 
snuff-colored  jean,  the  genuine  negro  cloth,  such  as  one  half 
the  Soutliern  army  was  compelled  to  wear.  His  slouched  hat 
was  tipped  back  upon  his  head,  showing  a  countenance  indica- 
tive of  intelligence. 

"  Well,  my  boy,  what  is  your  name  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Dick,  massa." 

"  Where  do  you  live  ?  " 

"  About  fourteen  miles  from  Dover,  massa,  up  near  do  roUin' 
mill." 

"  Is  your  master  a  Secessionist  ?  " 

"  He  was  Seccsh,  massa,  but  he  be  Union  now." 

This  was  correct  testimony,  the  master  appearing  with  great 
boldness  at  General  Grant's  head-quarters  to  let  it  be  known  he 
was  for  the  Union. 

"  Are  you  a  slave,  Dick  ?  " 

"  I  was  a  slave,  but  I 's  free  now ;  I 's  'fiscated." 

"  Where  were  you  when  the  fight  was  going  on  at  Fort  Don- 
elson?" 

"  At  home ;  but  when  massa  found  de  fort  was  took  he 
started  us  all  off  for  de  Souf,  but  we  got  away  and  come  down 
to  Dover,  and  was  'fiscated." 

The  master  was  a  Secessionist  till  his  twenty-four  chattels, 
which  he  was  trying  to  run  South,  became  perverse  and  veered 
to  the  North  with  much  fleetness.  Not  only  were  these  twenty- 
four  started  South,  but  ten  times  twenty-four,  from  the  vicinity 
of  Dover,  and  an  hundred  times  twenty-four  from  Clarkesville, 
Nashville,  and  all  along  the  Cumberland.  When  Donelson 
fell,  the  edifice  of  the  Secessionists  became  very  shaky  in  one 
jorner. 

Columbus  was  occupied  on  the  5th  of  March,  the  Rebels 
retiring  to  Island  No.  10.  Visiting  the  post-office,  I  secured 
several  bushels  of  Southern  newspapers,  which  revealed  a  state 
of  general  gloom  and  despondency  throughout  the  Confeder- 
acy. Inspired  by  the  events  of  1861,  —  the  battles  of  Bull  Run, 
Belmont,  and  other  engagements,  —  the  Southern  muse  had 
struck  its  lyre. 


1862.]         THE   OPENING   OF  THE   CaAIPAIGN  IN    TENNESSEE.  87 

The  battle  of  Belmont  had  kindled  a  poetic  flame  in  the 
breast  of  Jo.  Augustine  Signaigo,  in  the  Memphis  Appeal. 
The  opening  stanza  is  as  follows :  — 

•♦  Now  glory  to  our  Southern  cause,  and  praises  be  to  God, 
That  He  hath  met  the  Southron's  foe,  and  scourged  him  with  his  rod ; 
On  the  tented  plains  of  Belmont,  there  in  their  might  the  Vandala  camt>. 
And  gave  unto  Destruction  all  they  found,  with  sword  and  flame ; 
But  they  met  a  stout  resistance  from  a  little  band  that  day, 
Wlio  Bwore  that  they  would  conquer,  or  return  to  mother  clay.** 

After  a  description  of  the  fight,  we  have  the  following  wani- 
ng in  the  tenth  stanza :  — 

''  Let  the  horrors  of  this  day  to  the  foe  a  warning  be, 
That  the  Lord  is  with  the  South,  that  His  arm  is  with  the  free ; 
That  her  soil  is  pure  and  spotless  as  her  clear  and  sunny  sky, 
And  he  who  dare  pollute  it  on  her  soil  shall  basely  die ; 
"''or  His  fiat  hath  gone  forth,  e'en  among  the  Hessian  horde. 
That  the  South  has  got  His  blessing,  for  the  South  is  of  the  Lord." 

The  New  Orleans  Picayune  had  an  "  Ode  on  the  Meeting  of 
the  Southern  Congress,  by  Henry  Timrod,"  which  opened  in 
the  following  lofty  lines :  — 

"  Hath  not  the  morning  dawned  with  added  light  1 
And  will  not  evening  call  another  star 
Out  of  the  infinite  regions  of  the  night 
To  mark  this  day  in  Heaven  ?     At  last,  we  are 
A  nation  among  nations ;  and  the  world 
Shall  soon  behold,  in  many  a  distant  port. 
Another  flag  unfurled  1 " 

This  poet  gave  the  following  contrast  between  the  North  and 
Soutli :  — 

"  Look  where  we  will,  we  cannot  find  a  ground 

For  any  mournful  song  ! 
Call  up  the  clashing  elements  around. 

And  test  the  right  and  wrons  ! 
On  one  side,  —  pledges  broken,  creeds  that  lie, 
Religion  sunk  in  vague  philosophy  ; 
Empty  professions ;  Pharisaic  leaven  ; 
Souls  that  would  sell  their  birtli-right  in  the  sky ; 
Philanthropists  who  pass  the  beggar  by. 
And  laws  which  controvert  the  laws  of  Heaven  ) 
And,  on  the  other,  first,  a  righteous  cause  1 

Then,  honor  without  flaws, 
rruth,  Bible  reverence,  charitable  wealth, 


8«  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  f March, 

And  for  the  poor  and  liumble,  laws  winch  give 
Not  the  mean  right  to  buy  the  rigbt  to  live, 

But  life,  home  and  health. 
To  doubt  the  Issue  were  distrust  in  God  I 
If  In  his  providence  lie  had  decreed 
That,  to  the  peace  for  which  we  pray, 
Through  the  Red  Sea  of  "War  must  lie  our  way, 
Doubt  not,  O- brothers,  we  shall  find  at  need 

A  Moses  with  his  rod  ! " 

The  Vicksburg  Citizen  had  thirty  stanzas  rchcarshig  the 
events  of  the  year  1861.  Two  or  three  selections  will  be  suf- 
ficient to  show  that  the  muse  halted  a  little  now  and  then  •  — 

"  Last  year's  holidays  had  scarcely  passed. 
Before  momentous  events  came  thick  and  fast ; 
Mississippi  on  the  9th  of  January  went  out. 
Determined  to  stand  strong,  fii-m  and  stout. 

"  Major  Anderson  would  not  evacuate  Sumter, 
\Vlien  Gen.  Beauregard  made  him  surrender, — 
And  sent  him  home  to  his  abolition  master. 
Upon  a  trot,  if  not  a  little  faster. 

"  Then  Old  Abe  Lincoln  got  awful  mad, 
Because  his  luck  had  turned  out  so  bad ; 
And  he  grasped  his  old-fashioned  steel  pen. 
And  ordered  out  seventy-five  thousand  men. 

"  May  the  Almighty  smile  en  our  Southern  race, 
May  Liberty  and  Independence  grow  apace, 
May  our  Liberties  this  year  be  achieved, 
And  our  distress  and  sorrow  graciously  relieved." 

The  bombardment  of  Island  No.  10  commenced  on  the  9th 
of  March,  and  continued  nearly  a  month.  General  Pope  mov- 
ing overland,  captured  New  Madrid,  planted  his  guns,  and  had 
the  Rebel  steamboats  in  a  trap.  The  naval  action  of  ^larch 
17th  was  grand  beyond  description.  The  mortars  were  in  full 
play.  The  Cincinnati,  Benton,  and  St.  Louis  were  laslied 
together,  and  anchored  with  their  bows  down  stream.  The 
Carondelet  and  Mound  City  were  placed  in  position  to  give  a 
cross-fire  with  the  other  three,  while  the  Pittsburg  was  held  in 
reserve. 

It  was  past  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  as  beautiful  a 


1862.]         THE  OPENING   OF  THE  CAMPAIGN  IN   TENNESSEE.  89 

day  as  ever  dawned  upon  the  earth,  when  a  ball  of  buntmg 
went  up  to  the  top  of  the  Benton's  flagstaff,  and  fluttered  out 
hito  the  battle  signal.  Then  came  a  flash,  a  belching  of  smoko 
from  her  bows,  a  roar  and  reverberation  rolling  far  away,  — 
a  screaming  in  the  air,  a  tossing  up  of  earth  and  an  explosion 
in  the  Rebel  works. 

The  highest  artistic  skill  cannot  portray  the  scene  of  thai 
afternoon,  —  the  flashes  and  flames,  —  the  great  white  clouds, 
mounting  above  the  boats,  and  floating  majestically  away  over 
the  dark  gray  forests,  —  the  mortars  throwing  up  vast  columns 
of  sulphurous  cloud,  which  widen,  expand,  and  roll  forward  in 
fantastic  folds,  —  the  shells  one  after  another  in  swift  succession 
rising,  rotating,  rushing  upward  and  onward,  sailing  a  thou- 
sand feet  high,  their  course  tracking  a  light  gossamer  trail, 
which  becomes  a  beautiful  parabola,  and  then  the  terrific  ex- 
plosion,—  a  flash,  a  handful  of  cloud,  a  strange  whirring  of 
the  ragged  fragments  of  iron  hurled  upwards,  outwards,  and 
downwards,  crashing  through  the  forests  ! 

I  was  favored  with  a  position  on  the  Silver  Wave  steamer, 
lying  just  above  the  Benton,  her  wheels  slowly  turning  to  keep 
her  in  position  to  run  down  and  help  the  gunboats  if  by 
chance  they  were  disabled.  The  Rebel  batteries  on  the  main- 
land and  on  the  Island,  the  Rebel  steamers  wandering  up  and 
down  like  rats  in  a  cage,  were  in  full  view.  With  my  glass  I 
could  see  all  that  took  place  in  and  around  the  nearest  battery. 
Columns  of  water  were  thrown  up  by  the  shot  from  the  gun- 
boats, like  the  first  gush  from  the  hose  of  a  steam  fire-engine, 
which  falls  in  rainbow-colored  spray.  There  were  little  splaslics 
in  the  stream  when  the  fragments  of  shell  dropped  from  the 
sky.  Round  shot  skipped  along  tlie  surface  of  the  river,  tear- 
ing through  the  Rebel  works,  filling  the  air  with  sticks,  timbers, 
earth,  and  branches  of  trees,  as  if  a  thunderbolt  had  fallen. 
There  were  explosions  followed  by  volumes  of  smoke  rising 
from  the  ground  like  the  naists  of  a  summer  morning.  There 
was  a  hissing,  crackling,  and  thundering  explosion  in  front  and 
rear  and  overhead.  But  there  were  plucky  men  in  the  fort, 
who  at  inter^'als  came  out  from  their  bomb-proof,  and  sent 
back  a  defiant  answer.  There  was  a  flash,  a  volume  of  smoke, 
a  hissing  as  if  a  flying  fiery  serpent  were  sailing  through  the 


90  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Marcn, 

Air,  growing  louder,  clearer,  nearer,  more  fearful  and  terrific, 
crashing  into  the  Benton,  tearing  up  the  iron  plating,  cutting 
off  beams,  splintering  planks,  smashing  the  crockery  in  the 
pantry,  and  breaking  up  the  Admiral's  writing-desk. 

"  Howling  and  screeching  and  wliizzing, 
The  bomb-shells  arched  on  high, 
And  then,  like  fiery  meteors, 
Dropped  swiftly  from  the  sky." 

Ail  through  the  sunny  hours,  till  evening,  the  gunboats 
maintained  their  position.  While  around  the  ^  bright  flashes, 
clouds  of  smoke,  and  heavy  thunderings  brought  to  mind  the 
gorgeous  imagery  of  Revelation,  descriptive  of  the  last  judg- 
ment. 

While  the  bombardment  was  at  its  height,  I  received  a  pack- 
age of  letters,  intrusted  to  my  care.  There  was  one  post- 
marked from  a  town  in  Maine,  directed  to  a  sailor  on  the  St. 
Louis.  Jumping  on  board  a  tug,  which  was  conveying  ammu- 
nition to  the  gunboats,  I  visited  the  vessel  to  distribute  the 
letters.  A  gun  had  burst  during  the  action,  killing  and  wound- 
ing several  of  the  crew.  It  was  a  sad  scene.  There  were  the 
dead,  —  two  of  them  killed  instantly,  and  one  of  them  the 
brave  fellow  from  Maine.  Captain  Paulding  opened  the  letter, 
and  found  it  to  be  from  one  who  had  confided  to  the  noble 
sailor  her  heart's  affections,  —  who  was  looking  forward  to  the 
time  when  the  war  would  be  over,  and  they  would  be  happy 
together  as  husband  and  wife. 

"  Poor  girl !  I  shall  have  to  write  her  sad  news,"  said  the 
captain. 

Day  after  day  and  night  after  night  tlie  siege  was  kept  up, 
till  it  grew  exceedingly  monotonous.  I  became  so  accustomed 
to  the  pounding  that,  though  the  thirteen-inch  mortars  were 
not  thirty  rods  distant  from  my  quarters,  I  was  not  wakened 
by  the  tremendous  explosions.  Commodore  Foote  found  it 
very  diflicult  to  fight  down  stream,  as  the  water  was  very  high, 
flooding  all  the  country.  Colonel  Bissell,  of  General  Pope's 
army,  jiroposcd  the  cutting  of  a  canal  tlirough  the  woods,  to 
enable  the  gunboats  to  reach  New  Madrid.  It  was  an  Uer- 
culean  undertaking.     A   light-draft   transport  was  rigged   for 


18G2.]         THE   OPENING   OF  THE   CAMPAIGN  IN  TENNESSEE.  91 

tlic  enterprise.  Machinery  was  attached  to  the  donkey-engine 
of  the  steamer  by  which  immense  cotton-wood  trees  were  sawed 
ofT  four  feet  under  water. 

There  was  something  very  enchanting  in  the  operation, --to 
steam  out  from  the  main  river,  over  corn-fields  and  pasture 
lands,  into  the  dark  forests,  threading  a  narrow  and  intricate 
channel,  across  the  country,  —  pasi  the  Rebel  batteries.  A 
transport  was  taken  through,  and  a  tug-boat,  but  the  channel 
was  not  deep  enough  for  the  gunboats. 

Captain  Stembel,  commanding  the  Benton,  —  a  brave  and 
competent  officer,  Commodore  Foote's  right-hand  man,  — pro- 
posed to  run  the  batteries  by  night  to  New  Madrid,  caplure 
the  Rebel  steamer  which  Pope  had  caught  in  a  trap,  then  turn- 
ing head  up  stream  take  the  Rebel  batteries  in  reverse.  The 
Commodore  hesitated.  He  was  cautious  as  well  as  brave.  At 
length  he  accepted  the  plan,  and  sent  the  Pittsburg  and  Caron- 
dclet  past  the  batteries  at  night.  It  was  a  bold  undertaking, 
but  accomplished  without  damage  to  the  gunboats.  The  cur- 
rent was  swift  and  strong,  and  they  went  with  the  speed  of 
1  race-horse. 

Their  presence  at  New  Madrid  was  hailed  with  joy  by  the 
troops.  Four  steamboats  had  worked  their  way  through  the 
canal.  A  regiment  was  taken  on  board  each  boat.  The 
Rebels  had  a  battery  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  at  Wat- 
son's Landing,  which  was  speedily  silenced  by  the  two  gun- 
boats. Tlie  troops  landed,  and  under  General  Paine  drove 
the  Rebels  from  their  camp,  who  fled  in  confusion,  throwing 
away  their  guns,  knapsacks,  and  clothing. 

General  Pope  sent  over  the  balance  of  his  troops,  and  with 
his  whole  force  moved  upon  General  Mackall,  the  Rebel  com- 
mander, Avho  surrendered  his  entire  command,  consisting  of 
nearly  seven  thousand  prisoners,  one  hundred  and  twenty 
three  guns,  and  an  immense  amount  of  supplies. 

The  troops  of  General  Paine' s  brigade  came  across  a  farm 
fard  which  was  well  stocked  with  poultry,  and  helped  them- 
selves. Tlie  farmer's  wife  visited  the  General's  head-quarters 
to  enter  a  complaint. 

"  They  are  stealing  all  my  chickens,  General !  I  sha'n't  have 
one  left,"  she  exclaimed,  excitedly. 


«2 


THE   BOYS   OF   '61. 


[March, 


^'  I  am  exceedingly  sorry,  ma'am,"  said  the  General,  with 
^rutit  courtesy ;  "  but  we  are  going  to  put  down  the  rebellion 
if  it  vakcs  every  chicken  in  the  State  of  Tennessee ! " 
.oThe  woman  retired,  evidently  regarding  the  Yankees  as  a 
vQ.Qt.  of  vandals. 


EAST    TENNESSEE    REFUGEES. 


1862.]      PITTSBURG  LANDING,  FORT  PILLOW,  AND  MEMPHIS.  98 


CHAPTER    VII. 

PITTSBURG  LANDING,  FORT  PILLOW,   AND   MEMPHIS. 

The  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  or  Shiloh  as  it  is  some- 
times called,  was  fought  on  the  6th  and  7th  of  April.     It  was 
a  contest  which  has  scarcely  been  surpassed  for  manhood,  pluck, 
endurance,  and  heroism.     In  proportion  to  the  numbers  en 
gaged  the  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  as  great  as  that  of 
any  battle  of  the  war.    The  disasters  to  the  Rebel  cause  in  Ten 
nessee  moved  Davis  to  hurry  reinforcements  to  Corinth,  which 
was  the  new  base  of  Johnston's  operations.     Beauregard  was 
sent  into  the  department.     He  had  the  reputation  of  being  a 
great  conmiander,  because  he  commanded  the  Rebel  batteries . 
in  the  attack  on  Sumter,  and  had  received  the  glory  of  winning 
the  victory  at  Bull  Run.     Time  is  the   test  of  honor.     Men, 
like   the   stars,   have   their  hours  of  rising  and  setting.     He 
was  in  the  zenith  of  his  fame. 

Albert  Sydney  Johnston  was  still  in  command,  but  he  was 
induced  to  move  from  Corinth  to  Pittsburg  Landing  and  attack 
Grant  before  Buell,  who  was  slowly  moving  across  the  country 
from  Nashville,  could  join  him. 

Buell  marched  with  great  deliberation.  He  even  gave  ex- 
press orders  that  there  should  be  six  miles'  space  between  the 
divisions  of  his  army.  The  position  at  Pittsburg  Landing  was 
chosen  by  General  Smith,  as  being  a  convenient  base  for  a 
movement  upon  Corinth.  It  had  some  natural  advantages  for 
defence,  —  Lick  Creek  and  a  ravine  above  the  Landing,  —  but 
nothing  was  done  towards  erecting  barricades  or  breastworks. 
There  are  writers  who  maintain  that  the  attack  of  the  Rebels 
was  expected ;  but  if  expected,  would  not  prudence  have  dic- 
tated the  slashing  of  trees,  the  erection  of  breastworks,  and 
a  regular  disposition  of  the  forces  ?  On  Friday  and  Saturday 
the  Rebel  cavalry  appeared  in  our  front,  but  were  easily  driven 
back  towards  Corinth. 


94  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  L^P^i^» 

Notliing  was  done  towards  strengthening  the  line  ;  no  orders 
wcro  issued  in  anticipation  of  a  battle  till  the  pickets  were 
attacked  on  Sunday  morning,  while  the  troops  were  cooking 
their  coffee,  and  while  many  of  the  officers  were  in  bed. 

Pittsburg  is  the  nearest  point  to  Corinth  on  the  river.  The 
road  winds  up  the  bank,  passes  along  the  edge  of  a  deep 
ravine,  leading  southwest.  It  forks  a  half-mile  from  the 
Landing,  the  left-hand  path  leading  to  Hamburg  up  the  river, 
and  the  main  road  leading  to  Shiloh  Church,  four  miles  from 
the  Landing.  The  accompanying  sketch  of  the  church  was 
taken  the  week  after  the  battle,  with  the  head-quarter  tents  of 
General  Sherman  around  it.  I^^s  architecture  is  exceedingly 
primitive.  It  is  a  fair  type  of  the  inertness  of  the  people  of 
that  region  at  the  time.  It  is  about  twonty-five  or  thirty 
feet  square,  built  of  logs,  without  pulpit  or  pews,  with  rude 
benches  for  seats.  Once  it  was  chinked  with  clay,  but  the 
rains  have  washed  oui  the  mortar,  and  the  wind  comes  in 
through  all  the  crevices.  It  is  thoroughly  ventilated.  It 
would    make   a   good  corn-crib  for  an  Illinois  farmer. 

A  brook  meanders  through  the  forest,  furnishing  water  for 
the  worshipping  assemblies.  South  of  the  church,  and  across 
the  brook,  is  a  clearing,  —  an  old  farm-house  where  Beauregard 
wrote  his  despatch  to  Jeff  Davis  on  Sunday  night,  announcing 
a  great  victory.  There  are  other  little  clearings,  which  have 
beeji  long  under  cultivation.  The  people  were  too  indolent  to 
make  new  openings  in  the  forest,  where  centuries  of  mould  had 
accumulated.  The  country  was  but  little  further  advanced 
than  when  Daniel  Boone  passed  through  the  Cumberland  Gap. 
Civilization  came  and  made  a  beginning ;  but  the  blight  of  slav- 
ery was  there.  How  the  tillage  and  culture  of  New  England 
or  Ohio  would  crown  those  swells  of  land  with  sheaves  of  grain ! 
What  corn  and  clover  fields,  pastures  of  honeysuckle,  gardens 
of  roses !  Within  four  miles  of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  rivers 
in  the  world,  —  in  a  country  needing  only  industry  to  make  it 
a  paradise, — the  mourning  dove  filled  the  air  with  its  plaintive 
notes  in  the  depths  of  an  almost  unbroken  forest,  while  tho 
few  people,  shiftless  and  destitute  of  the  comforts  of  civilizar 
tion,  knew  no  better  than  to  fight  against  their  own  best  in 
tcrests. 


1862.]       PITTSBURG  LANDING,  FORT  PILLOW,  AND  MEMPfflS.  95 

The  majority  of  tlio  poor  whites  of  the  South  are  very  igno- 
rant. Few  of  them  have  ever  attended  school.  In  Tennessee, 
by  the  census  of  1850,  there  were  more  than  seventy  thousand 
native-born  American  adults  who  could  not  read.  Not  one 
half  of  the  prisoners  captured  at  Donelson  could  read  or  write. 
While  the  army  was  lying  before  Corinth,  I  visited  a  Missis- 
sippi school-house, — a  log  building  chinked  with  mud,  covered 
with  long  split  oak  shingles.  It  had  a  huge  fireplace,  built 
of  stones,  and  a  chimney  laid  up  with  sticks  and  mud.  There 
were  openings  for  two  windows,  but  frames,  sash,  and  glass 
all  were  wanting.  There  was  no  floor  but  the  beaten  earth, 
—  no  desks.  Stakes  were  driven  into  the  ground,  upon  which 
slabs  of  oak  were  laid  for  seats.  The  teacher's  desk  was  a 
large  dry-goods  box. 

The  State  of  North  Carolina,  with  a  white  population  ot 
five  hundred  and  fifty-three  thousand,  had  eighty  thousand 
native  whites,  over  twenty  years  of  age,  who  had  never  at- 
tended school.  In  the  State  of  Virginia,  North  Carolina, 
South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and  Alabama,  five  States  having  a 
population  of  two  million  six  hundred  and  seventy  thousand, 
there  were  two  hundred  and  sixty-two  thousand  native-born 
Americans,  over  twenty  years  of  age,  unable  to  read  or  write ! 

It  will  be  no  easy  matter  to  awaken  aspirations  in  the  minds 
of  this  class.  They  have  been  so  long  inert,  so  long  taught  to 
believe  that  labor  is  degrading,  that  rapid  progress  of  Southern 
society  cannot  be  expected  immediately,  unless  emigration  in- 
fuses a  new  vitality  into  the  community. 

Ignorance  was  on  the  increase  throughout  the  South.  Public 
schools  were  of  little  value  where  they  existed,  and  the  county 
was  so  sparsely  settled  in  many  places  there  were  not  scholars 
enough  to  form  one.  The  school  fund  arising  from  the  sale  of 
public  lands  was  often  appropriated  to  other  uses.  In  Arkan 
sas  it  had  been  squandered  by  worthless  officials.  The  planters 
and  wealthy  farmers  employed  teachers  in  their  families.  Be- 
fore the  war,  thousands  of  young  ladies  from  the  North  were 
thus  engaged.  They  sat  at  the  planter's  tab^e  and  associated 
with  his  daughters  ;  but,  however  intelligent,  refined,  or  agree 
able  they  might  be,  they  were  not  admitted  as  their  equals  iu 
society.     Such  teaching  as  they  received,  although  the  teacher 


96  THE  BOYS   OF  '61.  [April, 

might  be  fkithful,  was  of  little  account.  The  children,  proud 
and  haughty,  daily  hearing  of  the  inferiority  of  the  people  of 
the  North,  were  not  always  disposed  to  receive  instruction, 
much  less  to  submit  to  correction,  at  the  hands  of  a  "  Yankee 
schoolma'am."  To  be  chivalrous,  courteous,  high-minded,  and 
generous  toward  woman  has  ever  been  the  boast  of  the  men 
of  the  South  ;  but,  during  the  months  immediately  preceding 
the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  insulting  and  abusive  language 
was  freely  uttered  in  the  presence  of  Northern  ladies.  There 
was  rudeness  not  only  of  language,  but  in  some  instances  of 
action.  The  young  bloods  of  the  aristocracy,  learning  to  crow 
as  they  heard  the  old  cocks,  not  unfrequently  rose  in  rebellion 
against  the  authority  of  the  teacher.  Especially  was  this  the 
case  with  teachers  employed  in  the  public  schools.  A  Yan 
kee  schoolmaster  or  schoolmistress  was  one  who  could  be  in- 
sulted with  impunity  ;  and  so  bitter  was  the  hatred,  that,  weeks 
before  the  first  gun  was  fired  at  Sumter,  Northern  teachers 
were  forced  to  leave  their  schools  and  retire  from  the  Confed- 
eracy. 

To  General  Sherman  more  than  to  any  division  commander 
is  credit  due  for  the  victory  at  Pittsburg  Landing.  When  the 
first  volley  of  musketry  reverberated  through  the  forest  on  Sun- 
day morning  he  leaped  into  his  saddle.  He  was  conspicuous 
everywhere,  riding  along  the  lines  regardless  of  the  bullets 
which  riddled  his  clothes.  Early  in  the  battle  he  was  wounded 
in  the  wrist,  but  wrapping  a  bandage  round  his  arm,  continued 
ill  the  field.  Three  horses  were  shot  under  him.  He  was  a 
conspicuous  mark  for  the  Rebel  riflemen.  His  fearless  example 
was  inspiring  to  the  men.  And  so  through  the  long  hours  of 
the  day  he  was  able  to  hold  his  position  by  the  church,  till  the 
giving  way  of  Prentiss  and  Hurlburt,  nearer  the  river,  made  it 
necessary  to  fall  back.  Here  Grant  first  exhibited  those  quali- 
ties of  cliaracter  which  have  made  him  the  great  military  com 
maiidcr  of  the  age.  "  We  will  beat  them  yet.  They  can't  pass 
this  ravine,"  were  his  words  of  encouragement  as  he  selected 
the  final  line,  leading  to  the  landing.  The  contest  was  virtu- 
ally decided  at  five  o'clock  on  Sunday  afternoon,  when  Brcck- 
enridge  attempted  to  cross  the  gorge  near  the  river  and  was 
hurled  back  with  great  loss.     Johnston  and  Beauregard  made 


A  MISSISSIPPI    SCIIOOLllOUSE.    \    ,  J,  ,    : 


1862.]      PITTSBURG  LANDING,  FOKT  PILLOW,  AND  MEilPHIS.  97 

a  great  mistake  in  attacking  at  a  point  within  reach  of  tho 
gunboats.  Ilacl  they  come  in  on  the  Purdy  road,  between 
Shiloh  Church  and  Crump's  Landing,  in  all  human  probability 
there  would  have  been  a  far  different  record  for  the  his- 
torians of  the  future.  Ilad  they  attacked  northwest  of  tho 
church  instead  of  south  of  it,  they  would  have  taken  Grant  in 
reverse,  and  forced  him  to  change  the  whole  front  of  his  army ; 
they  would  have  had  no  ravine  to  cross,  would  have  been 
beyond  reach  of  tho  gunboats,  and  would  have  stood  a  fair 
chance  of  cutting  off  Lewis  Wallace,  who  was  at  Crump's 
Landing,  from  all  connection  with  the  main  army. 

The  defeat  of  the  Rebels  was  decisive,  and  yet  Beauregard 
sent  the  following  despatch  to  Richmond :  — 

"  CoKiNTH,  April  8th,  1862. 
"  To  THE  Secretary  op  "War  at  Richmond  :  — 

"  We  have  gained  a  great  and  glorious  victory.  Eight  to  ten  thou- 
sand prisoners,  and  thirty-six  pieces  of  cannon.  Buell  reinforced  Grant, 
and  we  retired  to  our  entrenchments  at  Corinth,  which  we  can  hold. 

Loss  heavy  on  both  sides. 

"  BEAUREGARD." 

On  the  same  day  he  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  General  Grant  with 
tho  following  message,  also  asking  leave  to  bury  the  Confeder- 
ate dead :  — 

"  Sir,  at  the  close  of  the  conflict  yesterday,  my  forces  being  exhausted 
by  the  extraordinary  length  of  the  time  during  which  they  were  en 
gaged  with  yours  on  that  and  the  preceding  day,  and  it  being  apparent 
that  you  had  received  and  were  still  receiving  reinforcement,  I  felt  it 
my  duty  to  withdraw  my  troops  from  the  immediate  scene  of  tho  con- 
flict." 

From  Shiloh  to  the  close  of  the  war,  Beauregard's  popularity 
was  on ,  the  wane,  and  the  Southern  people  lost  confidence  in 
him.  I  was  at  Island  No.  10  when  the  battle  was  fought,  but 
joined  the  army  the  week  after. 

As  the  army  moved  towards  Corinth,  there  was  abundant 
evidence  that  the  defeat  of  the  Rebels  was  most  disastrous,  — 
that  their  retreat  was  hasty.  Blankets,  knapsacks,  haversacks, 
here  and  there  muskets,  wagons,  one  overturned  in  a  slough, 
one  with  its  tongue  broken,  tents,  harnesses,  oats,  corn,  flour, 
tent-poles,  were  confusedly  scattered  along  the  way.     The  car- 


98  THE  BOYS  OF  '61  [^prilj 

casses  of  dead  horses  tainted  the  air.  There  were  piles  of  earth 
newly  heaped  above  those  who  died  from  their  wounds.  They 
fled  in  a  fright  on  Monday  night.  I  came  unexpectedly  upon  a 
little  log-hut,  on  a  by-path  leading  toward  Monterey.  Two  of 
McCook's  cavalry  rode  up  in  advance  of  me.  A  widow  woman, 
middle  aged,  with  a  little  girl  and  two  little  boys  occupied  it. 
She  kindly  gave  me  a  drink  of  water,  and  informed  me  that 
there  were  three  Confederate  wounded  in  the  other  room.  I 
looked  in  upon  them  for  a  moment.  Suffering  had  wasted 
them,  and  they  had  no  disposition  to  talk  of  the  past  or  the 
future.  The  good  woman  had  been  kind  to  them,  but  she  had 
L*een  a  great  deal  of  sorrow.  On  Monday  night  one  hundred 
wounded  were  brought  to  her  house.  Her  two  horses  had 
been  seized  by  the  Rebels,  her  corn  eaten,  and  no  equivalent 
returned.  She  conversed  unreservedly ;  deplored  the  war,  and 
wished  it  over.  There  were  seven  new-made  graves  in  her 
garden,  and  in  her  dooryard  a  heap  of  cinders  and  ashes, 
and  charred  brands,  —  fragments  of  wagons  and  tent-poles. 
On  the  upper  Corinth  road  fifty  wounded  were  lying,  cared 
for  by  our  surgeons. 

I  recall  some  of  the  scenes  of  the  movement  upon  Corinth. 
Here  is  an  open  forest,  undulating  land  with  little  or  no  under- 
brush; thousands  of  wagons,  all  plodding  on,  not  in  slow,  easy 
motion,  but  by  fits  and  starts,  with  cutting,  slashing,  shouting, 
swearing,  a  chorus  of  profanity  resounding  through  the  forests. 
A  mule  sticks  fast ;  he  tumbles ;  his  mate  falls  upon  him.  The 
drivers  become  enraged ;  then  follows  a  general  melee,  a  long 
halt,  frantic  attempts  to  start  again,  an  unloading  and  reloading. 
Other  trains  in  the  rear,  tired  of  waiting,  turn  to  the  right  or 
left,  perhaps  to  pass  the  little  slough  safely,  only  to  meet  with 
a  similar  mishap  ten  rods  farther  along.  A  battery  struggles 
along,  with  twelve  horses  attached  to  a  single  piece  of  artillery. 
The  entire  forest  is  cut  up  by  passing  teams.  Mingled  with 
the  thousands  of  wagons  are  regiments.  They,  too,  are  in  con- 
fusion. BuelFs  and  Grant's  forces  have  become  mixed.  The 
divisions  have  been  ordered  to  move,  but  evidently  with  no  pre- 
arranged system.  As  far  as  the  eye  can  see  it  is  one  grand 
hurly-burly,  —  one  frantic  struggle  to  make  headway,  —  and 
this  for   a  half-dozen   miles.     What  a  waste  of  horse-flesh ! 


1862.]      PITTSBURG  LANDING,  FORT  PILLOW,  AND  MEMPfflS.  99 

Here  are  six  mules  attempting  to  draw  six  boxes  of  bread, — 
weight  perhaps  six  hundred  pounds.  The  cavalry  bring  out 
their  supplies  on  horses,  each  cavalryman  bringing  a  bag  of 
oats.  There  is  cursing,  swearing,  pounding.  The  army  in 
Flanders  could  not  have  been  more  profane.  The  brutality 
of  the  drivers  is  terrible.  A  miserable  fellow,  destitute  of 
sense  and  humanity,  strikes  a  mule  over  the  head,  felling  the 
animal  to  the  ground.  Noble  horses  are  remorselessly  cut  up 
by  these  fiendish  beings  in  human  form.  There  is  no  check 
upon  their  cruelty.  You  see  dead  horses  everywhere.  All 
the  finer  sensibilities  become  callous.  One  must  see,  but  not 
feel.  There  would  be  pleasure  in  snatching  a  whip  from  the 
hands  of  these  savages  and  giving  them  a  dose  of  their  own 
medicine. 

General  Halleck  advanced  with  extreme  caution.  He  built 
four  lines  of  breastworks,  each  line  nearly  ten  miles  long,  so 
that  if  driven  from  one  he  could  fall  back  to  another.  He  sunk 
deep  wells  for  water,  he  was  preparing  to  be  besieged  instead 
of  opening  a  siege. 

He  doubted  all  the  reports  of  his  scouts,  —  disbelieved  the 
stories  of  negroes  who  came  to  him,  —  issued  Order  No.  57, 
that  all  "  unauthorized  persons  "  in  his  lines  should  be  sent 
out,  especially  fugitive  slaves,  —  threw  up  redoubts,  dragged 
his  heavy  siege-guns  through  the  mud  from  the  Landing, 
—  planted  them  behind  sodded  earthworks,  erected  bomb- 
proof magazines,  —  issued  his  final  orders  to  his  army  of  an 
hundred  thousand  men,  —  opened  fire  from  his  heavy  guns,  — 
threw  forward  his  skirmishers,  and  found  —  a  deserted  town ! 

Joining  the  fleet  upon  the  Mississippi  once  more  on  the  3d 
of  June,  I  found  Commodore  (now  Admiral)  Davis  in  com- 
mand. Admiral  Foote  having  been  relieved  at  his  own  request. 
His  wound  was  painful,  and  he  was  so  debilitated  that  he  was 
unable  to  discharge  his  duties.  The  idea  was  generally  enter- 
tained that  the  Rebels  had  evacuated  Fort  Pillow.  The  evacu- 
ation of  Corinth  was  the  basis  for  expectation  of  such  an  event. 
Fires  were  seen  over  the  point  on  the  bluffs  and  beyond,  toward 
Randolph.  Of  course  no  one  could  say  what  was  burning,  but 
from  the  past  conduct  of  Rebels,  it  was  reasonable  to  suppose 
that  tlie  evacuation  had  taken  place,  inasmuch  as  there  ^as  an 


100  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  [^P^l? 

ominous  silonco  of  Rebel  batteries.  But  they  suddenly  waked 
up.  Ascending  to  the  pilot-house  of  the  steamer,  I  could  sco 
handfuls  of  white  cloud  above  and  beyond  the  dense  foliage 
of  the  forest.  Then  there  came  a  dull,  heavy  roar,  —  boom  — 
boom  —  boom,  —  and  the  nearer  explosion  of  the  shells  wliich 
burst  in  the  air  above  our  gunboats.  Not  evacuated  !  They 
were  there  lively  as  ever. 

This  sudden  and  unexpected  demonstration  aroused  Ca)> 
tain  Maynadier,  and  right  merrily  answered  the  mortars  till 
noon.  Then  there  was  a  respite,  while  the  mortar  crews  sat 
down  beneath  the  dark  green  foliage  of  the  forest,  shcUered 
from  the  burning  sun,  and  ate  their  rations,  and  rested  tho 
while. 

Seven  or  eight  miles  below  Craighead  Point  is  Lanier's  plan- 
tation. The  proprietor  being  a  Secessionist,  burned  his  cotton, 
but  for  some  cause  he  had  lost  faith,  or  pretended  to  lose  faitli, 
in  tho  Confederacy,  and  desired  to  be  permitted  to  return  to 
bis  comfortable  home,  there  to  remain  unmolested,  no  sent  a 
note  to  Colonel  Fitch,  commanding  the  land  forces,  soliciting 
an  interview.  Ills  request  was  granted,  and  he  so*  ingratiated 
himself  into  Colonel  Fitch's  good  feeling  that  he  became  again 
an  occupant  of  his  homestead. 

Subsequently  it  was  ascertained  that  he  was  supplying  tho 
Rebel  fleet  with  ice,  spring  chickens,  garden  vegetables,  S:q. 
It  was  decided  to  spring  a  trap  upon  the  gentlemen  of  tho 
Southern  navy.  A  small  party  was  sent  out  by  Colonel  Fitch, 
which  reached  the  locality  undiscovered.  After  a  few  minutes' 
reconnoissance,  eight  men  were  discovered  helping  themselves 
to  ice  in  Mr.  Lanier's  ice-cellar.  They  were  surprised.  Ono 
resisted,  but  was  shot,  and  the  rest,  after  a  short  parleying, 
surrendered.  They  were  brought  to  the  Benton,  but  were  very 
uncommunicative  and  sour. 

The  loss  of  a  lieutenant  and  seven  men  was  not  well  relished 
at  Fort  Pillow.  Soon  after  noon  the  guns  on  the  bluff  com- 
menced a  vigorous  but  random  fire,  as  if  ammunition  cost 
nothing,  and  it  were  mere  pastime  to  burn  powder  and  hurl 
shell  over  the  point  at  our  fleet.  It  was  very  pleasant  to 
see  the  round  shot  plump  into  tho  water  all  around  our  gun- 
boats, with  an  occasional  shell  puffing  into  cloud  overhead,  and 


18G2.]       PITTSBURG  LANDING,  FORT  PILLOW,  AND  MEMPHIS-.  ^/  ,   lv)l 

raining  fragments  of  iron  into  the  river,  — for Vi tit  sudi'V^h-.' 
doni  firing,  tlicre  was  but  little  danger  of  being  hit. 

The  day  had  been  hot  and  sultry,  but  just  before  nightfall  a 
huge  bank  of  clouds  rolled  up  in  the  western  horizon,  and  burst 
with  the  fury  of  a  tornado  upon  the  fleet.  Some  of  the  trans- 
ports dragged  their  anchors  before  the  gale,  but  all  kept  up 
steam ;  they  were  not  long  in  making  head  against  the  breeze. 
Tlicre  was  but  little  rain,  but  a  dense  cloud  of  dust  was  whirled 
up  from  the  sandbars. 

I  was  surprised  to  see,  when  the  storm  was  at  its  height,  two 
of  our  rams  steam  rapidly  down  to  the  point  and  turn  their 
prows  toAvards  the  Rebel  batteries.  They  disappeared  in  the 
wliirling  dust-cloud,  vanishing  from  sight  like  ships  at  sea  when 
night  comes  on.  They  steamed  swiftly  down  the  stream  and 
turned  Craighead  Point. 

Tlicir  mission,  at  such  a  moment,  was  to  take  advantage  of 
the  storm,  —  of  the  enveloping  dust-cloud,  —  to  ascertain  what 
the  Rebels  were  doing.  We  could  hear  the  sudden  waking  up 
of  heavy  guns,  —  those  that  had  spoken  to  us  in  the  past,  — 
just  as,  in  high  party  times,  great  orators  hold  forth  the  night 
before  election.  The  rams  were  discovered,  and  at  once  the 
batteries  were  in  a  blaze.  Then  they  quietly  steamed  across 
the  bend,  in  face  of  the  batteries,  turned  their  prows  up  stream, 
and  appeared  in  sight  once  more.  Onward  rolled  the  cloud, 
and  the  Rebel  cannon  belched  and  thundered,  firing  shot  at 
random  into  the  river.  Bang  —  bang  —  bang,  —  two  or  three 
at  a  time,  —  roared  the  guns.  It  was  amusing,  laughable,  to 
Bce  the  rams  returning,  and  hear  the  uproar  below. 

The  dust-cloud,  with  its  fine,  misty  rain,  rolled  away.  The 
sun  slione  once  more,  and  bridged  the  Mississippi  with  a  gor- 
geous rainbow.  While  admiring  it,  a  Rebel  gunboat  poked 
her  nose  around  the  point.  Then,  after  a  little  hesitancy,  her 
entire  body,  to  see  what  we  were  up  to.  She  was  a  black  craft, 
bearing  the  flag  of  the  Confederacy.  Seeing  how  far  off 
we  were,  she  steamed  boldly  past  the  point,  up  stream  far 
enough  to  get  a  sight  of  the  entire  Federal  fleet;  turned 
slowly,  placed  her  head  downward,  to  be  ready  for  a  quick 
run  home,  if  need  be  ;  then  turned  her  paddles  against  tlic 
current,  and   surveyed   us   leisurely.     The   Mound    City  and 


102^      _  .     .    .    .  V       THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [April, 

Cairo'  berii|^'  hearest,  opened  fire  upon  the  craft.  A  signal  was 
ran  up  from  the  Benton,  and  immediately  from  the  chimneys 
of  the  entire  fleet  rose  heavy  columns  of  blackest  smoke,  which 
mingled  with  the  white  puffs  of  steam,  and  rolled  away  into 
tlio  blackness  of  the  receding  storm.  The  sun  had  gone 
down. 

Unheeding  the  shot  falling  close  at  her  bows,  or  whistling 
over  her  decks,  the  steamer  took  her  own  time  and  slowly  de- 
scended the  stream  and  disappeared  beyond  the  jutting  head- 
land. 

At  sunset  on  the  4th  of  June,  the  Rebel  batteries  opened  a 
fierce  and  sudden  fire  upon  the  gunboats.  Then  there  came 
heavy  explosions,  rising  columns  of  smoke,  faint  and  white  at 
first,  but  increasing  in  volume  and  blackness.  Another,  —  a 
third,  a  fourth,  —  expanding  into  one  broad  column,  all  along 
the  height  occupied  by  the  Rebel  batteries.  Daylight  was 
fading  away,  the  lurid  flanaes  filled  the  southern  sky,  and  a 
heaving,  surging  bank  of  smoke  and  flame  laid  along  the  tree- 
tops  of  the  intervening  forest.  Occasionally  there  were  flashes 
and  faint  explosions,  and  sudden  puffs  of  smoke,  spreading  out 
like  flakes  of  cotton  or  fleeces  of  whitest  wool.  This  was  all  we 
could  see.  We  were  ignorant  of  what  was  feedhig  the  flames, 
whether  steamers  or  bales  of  cotton,  or  barracks  or  tents  or 
houses,  but  were  sure  that  it  was  a  burning  of  that  which  had 
cost  a  pile  of  Confederate  notes.  After  taking  possession  of 
the  works  in  the  morning,  the  fleet  pursued  the  retreating 
Rebels  down  the  river. 

It  was  dark  when  we  came  to  anchor  four  miles  above  the 
city  of  Memphis  on  the  5th  of  June. 

"  I  think  that  we  shall  have  a  lively  time  in  the  morning," 
said  the  Admiral.  My  own  quarters  were  on  board  of  the  J. 
n.  Dickey,  which  lay  a  mile  up  stream.  I  was  astir  before 
daylight  on  the  6th.  The  air  was  clear,  —  the  sky  without  a 
cloud.  The  stars  were  fading  in  the  west,  and  the  columns 
of  light  were  rising  in  the  east.  The  gunboats  —  five  of 
them  —  were  in  a  line  across  the  stream,  with  the  steam 
escaping  from  their  pipes.  The  city  was  in  full  view.  People 
were  gathering  upon  the  banks  gazing  upon  the  fleet.  A  dark 
column  of  smoke  rose  from  above  the  green  foliage  of  the 


18G2.]      PITTSBURG  LANDING,  FORT  TILLOW,  AND  ilEilPmS.  108 

forest  opposite  the  city,  but  wbctlicr  produced  by  burning 
buildings  or  by  the  Rebel  fleet,  was  wholly  a  matter  of  con- 
jeclure. 

'IMic  tugboat  Jessie  Benton,  tender  to  the  Admiral,  came  up 
to  the  advance  boat,  which  was  lying  by  our  side. 

"  The  Admiral  thinks  that  the  Rebel  fleet  is  below  the  city, 
and  tliat  we  are  to  have  a  fight.  You  can  go  down  if  you  want 
to,"  said  the  captain. 

I  was  on  board  in  an  instant,  leaving  the  otlier  gentlemen  of 
the  press  asleep  in  their  state-room.  The  soldiers  were  heav- 
ing tlie  ancliors  as  we  approached  the  fleet,  shouting  in  chorus, 
"  Ycave  ho  !  yeave  ho  !  "  The  drummer-boys  were  beating  to 
quarters,  the  marines  were  mustering,  oflicers  and  sailors  all 
were  busy. 

'J'he  Admiral  was  standing  on  the  upper  deck  with  Captain 
riielps,  commanding  the  Benton,  by  his  side.  The  Admiral  is 
a  tall,  well-proportioned  man,  about  fifty  years  old,  with  gray 
hair  and  blue  eyes.  He  is  a  perfect  gentleman,  —  kind,  cour- 
teous, and  affable,  not  only  to  Ids  oflicers,  but  to  the  crews. 
Captain  Phelps  i^  shorter,  and  smaller  in  stature.  His  features 
are  sharj^ly  cut.  lie  stands  erect,  looks  upon  the  preparations 
with  keen  eyes,  giving  orders  with  precision  and  promptness. 
The  Benton  in  a  few  moments  is  ready  for  action,  so  quickly 
are  his  orders  executed. 

"  Drop  down  toward  the  city,  sir,  and  see  if  you  can  dis- 
cover the  Rebel  fleet,"  is  the  word  of  the  Admiral  to  our 
ca])tain. 

^Vo  pass  tlu'ough  the  fleet,  and  move  slowly  down  stream, 
followed  by  the  Benton  and  Carondclet,  which  drift  with  the 
current. 

The  sun  was  beginning  to  gild  the  spires  of  the  city,  and 
its  slant  rays  came  streaming  over  the  waters  into  our  faces. 
Men,  women,  and  cliildren  were  gathering  upon  the  levee,  on 
foot,  on  horseback,  and  in  carriages.  The  crowd  became  more 
dense.  Were  they  assembling  to  welcome  us  ?  Should  we 
steam  down  to  them,  and  ask  tliem  what  they  thought  of  the 
Rebellion?  The  Rebel  flag  was  flying  from  the  cupola  of  the 
court-liouse,  and  from  a  tall  flagstaff  on  the  levee.  I  remem- 
Wrcd  that  on  the  Gth  of  May,  thii'teftn  months  before,  on  the 


104  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

evening  after  the  secession  of  the  State,  the  people  had  torn 
down  the  stars  and  stripes,  borne  them  out  to  the  suburbs  of 
the  city,  dug  a  grave,  and  buried  the  flag,  trampling  it  in  the 
mire! 

Suddenly  a  Rebel  gunboat  steamed  out  into  the  stream,  from 
the  shelter  of  the  Arkansas  woods ;  —  another,  —  another,  — 
till  eight  had  ranged  themselves  in  two  lines  of  battle.  "  Helm 
aport !  "  shouted  our  captain  to  the  pilot,  and  we  were  rushing 
up  stream  again.  The  Admiral  was  not  quite  ready  for  action, 
and  the  Benton  and  Carondelet  returned  to  their  original 
position. 

The  appearance  of  the  Rebel  fleet,  —  the  orderly  formation 
of  the  battle  line,  —  looked  like  work.  The  affair  of  the  10th 
of  May,  when  the  Rebel  gunboats  stole  round  Craighead  Point 
above  Fort  Pillow,  and  sunk  the  Cincinnati,  was  sufficiently 
spirited  to  warrant  the  supposition  that  an  engagement  would 
be  desperate.  Several  of  the  Rebel  boats  were  fitted  out  at 
Memphis,  and  were  manned  by  the  old  rivermen  of  that  city, 
who  would  fight  with  great  bravery  under  the  eyes  of  their 
fellow-citizens,  their  wives  and  sweethearts. 

"  Let  the  sailors  have  breakfast,"  said  the  Admiral,  who  be- 
lieved in  fighting  on  a  full  stomach.  I  took  mine  on  deck, — a 
cup  of  coffee,  hard-tack,  and  a  slice  of  salt  junk, — for  the  mov^ 
ments  in  front  of  the  city  were  too  interesting  to  be  lost  sight 
of.  The  Little  Rebel,  the  flag-ship  of  Commodore  Montgom- 
ery, was  passing  from  boat  to  boat.  With  my  glass  I  could  see 
the  officers  of  *he  vessels.  Montgomery  was  issuing  his  final 
orders. 

Suddenly  the  Rebel  fleet  began  to  move  up  stream.  A  flag 
went  up  to  the  head  of  the  Benton's  flagstaff.  It  was  the 
signal  to  be  ready  for  action.  Sailors  dropped  their  plates, 
knives  and  forks,  and  sprang  to  their  guns.  The  Benton  was 
nearest  the  Tennessee  shore,  then  the  Carondelet,  the  St.  Louis, 
Louisville,  and  Cairo.  Our  own  little  tug  was  close  by  the 
flagship,  keeping  its  place  in  the  stream  by  the  slow  working 
of  its  engine. 

The  Rebel  fleet  was  composed  of  the  Van  Dorn,  General 
Price,  General  Bragg,  Jeff*  Thompson,  General  Lovell,  Gen- 
eral   Beauregard,  Sumter,  and   Little   Rebel, —  all   gunboats 


1862.]      PITTSBURG  LANDING,  FORT  PILLOW,  AND  MEMPfflS.  105 

and  all  rams,  built  expressly  with  a  view  of  butting  our  fleet 
out  of  existence.  The  Beauregard  was  nearest  the  shore,  next 
the  Little  Rebel,  then  the  General  Price,  next  the  General 
Bragg  and  the  General  Beauregard,  which  composed  the  front 
line.  Immediately  in  rear  was  the  General  Lovell,  near  the 
Memphis  shore,  her  position  being  directly  m  front  of  the  city 
wharf  boat ;  next  the  Van  Dorn,  then  the  Jeff  Thompson,  and 
lastly  the  Sumter. 

How  strange,  peculiar,  and  indescribable  are  one's  feelings 
when  going  into  battle!  There  is  a  light-heartedness,  —  a 
quickening  of  all  the  springs  of  life.  There  is  thrill  in  every 
nerve,  —  an  exhilaration  of  spirit,  —  a  tension  of  every  fibre. 
You  see  every  movement,  hear  every  sound,  and  think  not 
only  of  what  is  before  you,  but  of  home,  of  the  loved  ones 
there,  —  of  the  possibility  that  you  may  never  behold  them 
again.  Some  men  review  their  lives,  and  ask  themselves  if 
they  have  left  anything  undone  which  ought  to  have  been 
done,  —  it  their  lives  have  been  complete. 

The  Little  Rebel  was  opposite  the  Benton.  There  was  a 
flash,  —  a  puff  of  smoke  from  her  side,  —  a  screaming  of  som^ 
thing  unseen  in  the  air  over  my  head,  —  a  frightful  sound. 
The  shot  fell  far  in  our  rear.  Another  puff  from  the  Beaure- 
gard, and  the  shot  fell  near  the  Benton.  A  third  came  from 
the  General  Price,  aimed  at  the  Carondelet,  passed  very  near 
her  larboard  ports,  and  almost  took  our  own  boat  in  the  bow. 
My  fear  was  all  gone.  I  was  in  the  fight.  There  was  no  pos- 
sibility of  escaping  from  it.  Wherever  the  boat  went  I  must 
go.  I  should  be  just  as  safe  to  keep  cool  as  to  be  excited. 
Besides,  it  was  a  new  experience,  —  a  new  sight,  —  a  grand 
exhibition.  Interest,  curiosity,  and  reason  mastered  fear.  I 
sat  down  in  an  arm-chair  on  the  deck  beside  the  pilot-house, 
and  made  rapid  notes  of  all  that  I  saw.     I  transcribe  them :  — 

5.40  A.  M.  Cairo  opens  with  a  stern  gun,  —  shot  strikes  close 
under  hull  of  Little  Rebel.  Our  boats'  bows  up  stream.  Rebels 
advancing  slowly.  Bang  —  bang  —  bang  —  bang  from  each  of 
the  vessels.  A  whole  broadside  from  Cairo.  Another  from 
Louisville.  Air  full  of  strange  noises.  Shells  burst  overhead 
Pieces  raining  all  round  us.  Columns  of  water  tossed  up 
Both  fleets  enveloped  '.::  smoke.     Very  little  wind.     Splinter* 


106  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [JuilO, 

thrown  out  from  General  Price.  Can  see  a  shot-hole  with  my 
glass.  Rebel  fleet  half-mile  distant.  Comes  to  a  stand  still. 
6.00.  Queen  of  the  West  cutting  loose  from  shore.  Monarch 
also.  Great  black  clouds  of  smoke  rolling  up  from  their  stacks. 
Steam  hissing  from  their  pipes.  Commodore  Ellet  on  the 
Queen.  Stands  beside  the  pilot-house.  Sharpshooters  look- 
mg  from  loop-holes.  Queen  wheels  out  into  stream.  Passes 
between  Benton  and  Carondelet.  Are  near  enough  to  say 
good  morning  to  Commodore  Ellet  and  wish  him  success. 
Monarch  following  Queen,  passing  between  Cairo  and  St. 
Louis.  6.25.  Rebels  moving  down  stream.  6.35.  Signal 
from  Benton  to  round  to  and  come  to  close  quarters.  Queen 
surging  ahead  under  full  speed.  Ploughs  a  wide  furrow.  Aim- 
ing for  Beauregard.  Rebel  fleet  all  opening  on  her.  Shot 
crash  through  her.  Exciting  scene.  Sharpshooters  at  work. 
Beauregard  puts  her  helm  down.  Sheers  ofi".  Queen  rushes 
by.  Has  missed  her  aim.  Coming  round  in  a  curve.  Strikes 
the  General  Price.  Tremendous  crash.  Men  jiimping  into 
water.  Beauregard  falling  upon  Queen  of  the  West.  Another 
crash.  Monarch  close  at  hand.  Smashes  into  Beauregard. 
Cracking  of  rifles  and  muskets.  Queen  of  the  West  sinking. 
Monarch  throwing  out  a  warp.  Towing  her  ashore.  Benton 
close  upon  the  General  Lovell.  Shot  strikes  Lovell  in  bow. 
Rips  from  stem  to  stern.  Water  full  of  timber  and  fragments. 
Lovell  sinking.  Man  on  deck.  Left  arm  shattered,  crying 
help  !  help  !  help  !  Commotion  on  shore.  Lovell  goes  down 
with  a  lurch.  River  full  of  poor  wretches  struggling  for  life. 
Throwing  up  their  arms.  Stream  sweeps  them  away.  Little 
Rebel  fleeing  to  Arkansas  shore.  The  Jeff"  Thompson  on  fire. 
7.05.  Rebel  fleet  broken.  Their  guns  all  silent.  Beauregard 
sinking.  We  run  alongside.  Rebel  officers  lay  shattered. 
Sides  of  vessel  spotted  with  blood.  Pool  of  blood  on  deck. 
Crew  fled.  Taken  off"  by  Little  Rebel.  Help  lift  wounded  Rebel 
officer  on  our  boat.  Thanked  us,  and  said,  "  You  are  kinder 
than  my  own  comrades,  for  one  of  them  was  mean  enough  to 
steal  my  watch  and  pick  my  pocket."  Little  Rebel  run  ashore. 
Crew  fleeing  into  woods.  Cairo  gives  them  parting  broadside. 
Rebels  crawling  up  the  bank  dripping  with  water.  7.10.  Boats 
of   Benton    and   Carondelet   picking  up   the  wretches.     Van 


1862.]       PITTSBURG  LANDING,  FORT  PILLOW,  AND  MEMPfflS.  107 

Dorn  escaping  down  stream.  7.25.  Fight  over.  Van  Dorn 
out  of  sight.  Last  gun  fired.  Jeff  Thompson  on  fire  in  every 
part.  Grand  explosion.  Whole  interior  of  boat  lifted  five  hun- 
dred feet  high.  Flames.  Volumes  of  smoke.  Bursting 
shells.     Timbers,  planks,  fragments,  raining  all  around  us. 

It  was  a  complete  annihilation  of  the  Rebel  fleet.  Not  a 
man  was  lost  on  our  gunboats,  and  Commodore  EUet  was  the 
only  one  wounded. 

The  Rebel  fleet  began  the  action  in  good  style,  but  mam- 
tained  the  line  of  battle  a  few  minutes  only.  The  appearance 
of  the  rams  threw  them  into  disorder.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
line  of  battle  taken  by  Commodore  Davis  was  preserved  to  the 
end.  Everything  was  as  systematic  and  orderly  as  in  a  well- 
regulated  household.  The  thought  occurred,  as  I  saw  the 
steady  onward  movement  of  the  fleet,  which,  after  once  start- 
ing to  close  in  with  the  Rebels,  did  not  for  an  instant  slacken 
speed,  that  he  was  clearing  the  river  of  all  Rebel  obstructions 
with  the  same  ease  that  a  housewife  sweeps  dirt  through  a 
doorway.  His  orders  were  few.  The  main  thing  was  to  get 
to  close  quarters. 

Embracing  an  early  opportunity  to  reach  the  shore,  I  min- 
gled freely  with  the  crowd,  to  see  how  the  thing  was  relished 
and  to  study  the  feelings  of  the  people.  Some  looked  exceed- 
ingly sour  ;  some  disconsolate  ;  a  few  were  defiant ;  many 
of  the  people  were  evidently  good-natured,  but  deeply  hu- 
miliated. A  gentleman,  resident  of  the  city,  informed  me  that 
he  did  not  think  the  people  cared  anything  about  the  Union, 
or  had  any  desire  to  return  to  it,  but  they  had  an  intense 
hatred  of  the  tyranny  to  which  they  had  been  subjected, 
and  were  ready  to  welcome  anything  which  would  relieve 
them. 

The  Avalanche  of  that  morning,  hardly  issued  when  the  con- 
flict began,  said :  — 

"  There  was  not  a  little  excitement  about  the  levee  last  night,  occa- 
sioned by  an  officer  coming  down  in  a  skiff  announcing  that  three  of 
the  Federal  gunboats  were  in  the  '  shute '  above  the  Island.  The  sig- 
nals and  movements  of  the  boats  seemed  to  confirm  the  report,  but  we 
have  no  idea  that  it  was  true. 

"  Yesterday  was  quite  lively.     All  reports  about  Fort  Pillow  were 


108  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

listened  to  with  interest,  and  they  were  not  a  few.  By  noon  it  was  knowL 
that  the  fort  was  evacuated,  and  there  was  not  a  little  excitement  in 
consequence.  Nearly  all  the  stores  were  closed,  and  those  that  were 
open,  with  few  exceptions,  were  rather  indisposed  to  sell.  Even  a  spool 
of  cotton  could  n»t  be  had  yesterday  in  stores  which  the  day  before  had 
plenty  and  to  spare.  Besides  the  soldiers  from  Fort  Pillow  a  fleet 
made  us  a  visit  which  attracted  much  attention  and  formed  the  subject 
of  general  conversation.  All  seemed  to  regret  what  had  been  done  and 
wished  it  were  otherwise.  So  prevailing  was  the  excitement  that  the 
common  mode  of  salutation  on  Main  Street  was,  '  When  do  you  think 
the  Federals  will  be  here  ?  '  Each  one  made  arrangements  according 
to  the  tenor  of  the  reply.     Many  persons  were  packing  up  to  leave. 

"  In  a  word,  all  who  could  began  to  consider  anxiously  the  question 
whether  to  go  or  stay.  There  was  much  running  about  on  the  streets, 
and  evidently  more  or  less  excitement  on  every  countenance.  Some 
took  matters  coolly,  and  still  believe  that  the  Federals  will  never  go  to 
Memphis  by  river.  All  obstructions  to  their  progress  have  not  been 
removed  and  probably  will  not  be.  In  fact,  the  prospect  is  very  good 
for  a  grand  naval  engagement,  which  shall  eclipse  anything  ever  seen 
before.  There  are  many  who  would  like  the  engagement  to  occur,  who 
do  not  much  relish  the  prospect  of  its  occurring  very  near  the  city. 
They  think  deeper  water  and  scope  and  verge  enough  for  such  an  en- 
counter may  be  found  farther  up  the  river.  All,  however,  are  rejoiced 
that  Memphis  will  not  fall  till  conclusions  are  first  tried  on  water  and 
at  the  cannon's  mouth." 

The  "  conclusions  "  had  been  tried  and  the  people  had  seen 
their  fleet  unceremoniously  knocked  to  pieces. 

There  were  thousands  of  negroes  on  the  levee,  interested 
spectators  of  the  scene.  I  asked  one  athletic  man  what  he 
thought  of  it  ?  "0  massa,  I  tinks  a  good  deal  of  it.  Uncle 
Abe's  boats  mighty  powerful.  Dey  go  through  our  boats  jus 
like  dey  was  eggshells."  Another  one  standing  by  at  once  be- 
came interested  in  the  conversation.  Said  he,  "  Captain  Jeff 
Thompson,  he  cotch  it  dis  time  !  He  ;  hi !  0  how  de  balls  did 
whiz  !  "  There  was  an  unmistakable  sign  of  pleasure  on  the 
countenances  of  the  colored  population. 

In  fifteen  minutes  after  the  occupation  of  the  city,  enter- 
prising news-boys  accompanymg  the  fleet  were  crying,  "  Here  'a 
the  New  York  Herald  !  Times  and  Tribune  I  Chicago  and  St. 
Louis  papers! " 


1862.]       PITTSBURG  LANDING,  FORT  PILLOW,  AND  MEMPHIS. 


109 


How  wonderfully  had  the  upper  Mississippi  been  repossessed ! 
One  by  one  the  Rebel  obstructions  had  been  removed.  How 
often  had  we  been  told  that  they  were  impregnable !  How 
often  that  the  gunboats  would  be  destroyed !  How  often  that 
never  would  the  river  be  opened  till  the  Confederacy  was  a 
recognized  independent  power!  One  short  year  and  their 
labors,  —  the  ditch-digging,  the  cannon-casting,  boat-building, 
tlieir  braggadocio,  had  come  to  naught. 

The  part  taken  by  Commodore  EUet  was  glorious.  Ho  wa& 
a  brave,  gallant,  dashing  officer,  the  son  of  a  noble  mother, 
who  lived  in  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Stuart,  President  of  the  Chris 
tian  Commission,  relates  that  later  in  the  war  he  called  to  see 
her,  at  her  request,  to  receive  a  large  donation.  He  found  a 
lady  eighty-four  years  of  age.  A  grandson  had  been  killed  in 
battle,  the  body  had  been  brought  home,  and  was  lying  in  the 
house.  Said  Mrs.  Ellet :  "  I  have  given  my  two  sons.  Com- 
modore Ellet  and  General  Ellet,  and  four  grandchildren  to  my 
country.  I  don't  regret  this  gift.  If  I  had  twenty  sons  I  would 
give  them  all,  for  the  country  must  be  preserved.  And  if  I 
was  twenty  years  younger,  I  would  go  and  fight  myself  to  the 
last ! " 


'»i^^ 


110  THE   BOYS    OF    '61  [AugUStf 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

INVASION    OF    MARYLAND. 

Great  events  were  transpiring  in  Virginia.  The  magnifi- 
cent army  which  passed  down  the  Potomac  in  March,  which 
had  thrown  up  the  tremendous  fortifications  at  Yorktown, 
which  had  fought  at  Williamsburg,  Fair  Oaks,  Gaines's  Mills, 
Savage  Station,  Glendale,  and  Malvern,  was  once  more  at 
Washington.  Manassas  was  a  bloody  plain.  Pope  had  been 
defeated,  sacrificed  by  Fitz  John  Porter.  Day  after  day  the 
booming  of  cannon  had  been  heard  in  Washington,  borne  by 
the  breezes  along  the  wooded  valley  of  the  Potomac ;  far  away 
at  first,  then  nearer  at  Chantilly  and  Fairfax  Court-House. 
Then  came  the  stream  of  fugitives,  and  broken,  disheartened 
ranks  back  to  Arlington.  The  streets  of  Washington  were 
thick  with  hungry,  war-worn  men.  Long  lines  of  ambulances 
wended  into  the  city,  with  wounded  for  the  hospitals,  already 
overcrowded.  The  soldiers  had  pitiful  tales  to  tell  of  the 
scenes  of  the  Peninsula,  and  of  the  gory  field  of  Manassas,  — 
how  near  they  came  to  victory,  —  how  Hooker  and  Heintzel- 
man  rolled  back  the  lines  of  Stonewall  Jackson,  —  how  Fitz 
John  Porter  lingered  within  an  hour's  march  of  the  conflict, 
tardily  coming  into  line,  and  moving  away  when  lightly  pressed 
by  the  enemy.  There  were  curses  loud  and  deep  breathed 
against  Porter,  Pope,  and  McClellan.  The  partisans  of  Porter 
and  McClellan  called  Pope  a  braggadocio,  while  the  soldiers 
who  had  fought  with  obstinacy,  who  had  doubled  up  Jackson 
in  the  first  day's  battle,  retorted  that  McClellan  was  a  coward, 
who,  through  all  the  engagements  on  the  Peninsula  took  good 
care  to  be  out  of  the  reach  of  hostile  bullets  or  cannon  shot. 
The  cause  of  the  Union  was  gloomy.  Burnside  had  been 
hurried  up  from  North  Carolina  to  aid  in  repelling  the  invad- 
er. The  sun  shone  peacefully  through  the  August  days, — 
summer  passed  into  autumn, 


GENERAL    McCLELLAN    AT  WILLIAMSBURG. 


INVASION   OF   MARYLAND.  Ill 

"  And  calm  and  patient  Nature  kept 
Her  ancient  promise  well, 
Though  o'er  her  bloom  and  greenness  swept 
The  battle's  breath  of  hell." 

Adversity  is  a  test  of  faith.  In  those  darkest  hours  there 
was  no  faltering  of  hope.  The  heart  of  the  nation  was  serene. 
The  people  believed  that  God  would  give  them  the  victory. 
The  soldiers  believed  it.  Those  who  were  passing  away  from 
earth,  who  with  quickened  sight  beheld  the  events  of  the  hour 
in  the  light  of  eternity,  trusted  that  Providence  would  give 
the  victory  to  their  companions  in  arms. 

Colonel  Broadhead,  of  Michigan,  lying  upon  the  battle-field 
of  Manassas,  with  the  shadow  of  death  stealing  over  him,  wrote 
a  most  touching  farewell  letter  to  his  wife,  in  which  he  ex- 
pressed his  convictions  as  to  who  was  responsible  for  the  defeat. 

"  My  dear  Wife  : — 

"  I  write  to  you  mortally  wounded,  from  the  battle-field.  We 
have  again  been  defeated,  and  ere  this  reaches  you  your  children  will 
be  fatherless.     Before  I  die  let  me  implore  that  in  some  way  it  may 

be  stated  that   General has  "been  outwitted,  and  that is  a 

traitor.  Had  they  done  their  duty  as  I  did  mine,  and  had  led  as  I  did, 
the  dear  old  flag  had  waved  in  triumph.  I  wrote  to  you  yesterday 
morning.  To-day  is  Sunday,  and  to-day  I  sink  to  the  green  couch  of 
our  final  rest.  I  have  fought  well,  my  darling  ;  and  I  was  shot  in  the 
endeavor  to  rally  our  broken  battalions.  1  could  have  escaped,  but 
would  not  until  all  our  hope  was  gone,  and  was  shot,  —  about  the  only 
one  of  our  forces  left  on  the  field.  Our  cause  is  just,  and  our  gener- 
als,—  not  the  enemy's,  —  have  defeated  us.  In  God's  good  time  he 
will  give  us  the  victory. 

"  And  now,  good  by,  wife  and  children.  Bring  them  up  —  I  know 
you  will  —  in  the  fear  of  God  and  love  for  the  Saviour.  But  for  you 
and  the  dear  ones  dependent,  I  should  die  happy.  I  know  the  blow 
will  fall  with  crushing  weight  on  you.  Trust  in  Him  who  gave  manna 
in  the  wilderness. 

"  Dr.  North  is  with  me.  It  is  now  after  midnight,  and  I  have  spent 
most  of  the  night  in  sending  messages  to  you.  Two  bullets  have  gone 
through  my  chest,  and  directly  through  my  lungs.  I  suffer  little  now, 
but  at  first  the  pain  was  acute.  I  have  won  the  soldier's  name,  and 
am  ready  to  meet  now,  as  I  must,  the  soldier's  fate.  I  hope  that  from 
heaven  I  may  see  the  glorious  old  fiag  wave  again  over  the  undivide<^ 
country  I  have  loved  so  well. 

"  Farewell,  wife  and  friends,  we  shall  meet  again." 


112  THE    BOYS    OF    '61.  [AugUSt, 

The  military  authorities  were  often  indebted  to  newspaper 
correspondents  for  intelligence  concerning  the  movements  of 
the  Rebels.  One  of  the  most  indefatigable  of  the  corps  was 
Mr.  U.  H.  Painter,  of  the  Philadelphia  Inquirer.  He  was  at 
Bristow  Station  when  Stuart  made  his  first  appearance  in 
Pope's  rear,  capturing  the  baggage  of  that  officer.  Mr.  Paint- 
er was  taken  prisoner,  but,  true  to  his  profession,  kept  iiis  eyes 
and  ears  open,  listening  to  all  that  was  said  by  Stuart  and  his 
subordinate  officers.  Being  in  citizen's  dress,  he  managed  to 
slip  through  the  guard,  but  not  till  after  he  had  obtained  im- 
portant information  relative  to  the  movements  of  the  enemy. 
Reaching  Washington,  he  at  once  sent  an  attach^  of  the  paper 
up  the  Potomac  to  Point  of  Rocks,  also  informed  the  govern- 
ment that  the  Rebels  were  intending  to  invade  Maryland.  No 
credence  was  given  to  his  assertion ;  the  government  believed 
that  Washington  was  the  point  aimed  at.  The  Rebels  made 
their  appearance  at  Point  of  Rocks,  the  messenger  on  watch 
gave  Mr.  Painter  information  by  telegraph  that  Stuart  was 
crossing.  That  gentleman  informed  the  government  of  the 
fact,  and  forwarded  a  despatch  to  his  paper.  The  Washington 
papers  in  the  afternoon  contained  semi-official  denials  of  the 
despatch  to  the  Inquirer.  But  information  from  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Railroad  Company  that  the  Rebels  had  possession  of 
the  road  at  Point  of  Rocks  could  not  be  disputed.  Even  then 
the  government  was  slow  to  believe  that  the  Rebels  seriously 
intended  a  movement  upon  Maryland. 

General  Lee  was  flushed  with  success.  He  liad  reason  to 
think  well  of  himself  and  of  his  troops.  He  had  raised  the 
siege  of  Richmond,  transferred  the  war  to  the  vicinity  of  Wash- 
ington, had  defeated  Pope  on  the  old  battle-ground  of  Manassas, 
and  driven  the  Union  forces  into  the  defences  of  the  capital. 
The  troops  believed  that  they  could  accomplish  anything,  — 
overcome  all  obstacles,  —  sweep  away  the  Union  army,  and 
march  to  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  and  New  York  ;  and  yet  Lee 
had  made  a  miscalculation  of  the  power  of  endurance  on  the 
part  of  his  troops,  and  the  first  invasion  of  the  North  failed, 
not  only  because  of  the  courage  and  tenacity  of  the  Union 
soldiers  at  Antietam,  but  also  because  the  Rebel  army  had  lost 
much  of  its  aggressive  power  through  hard  marching,  constant 


1862.]  INVASION   OF   MARYLAND.  113 

fighting,  and  want  of  food.  Jackson  had  so  worn  down  his 
troops  that  in  the  first  day's  fight  at  Manassas  he  was  defeated 
by  Hooker  and  Heintzelman,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  timely 
arrival  of  Longstreet,  would  have  been  driven  from  the  field. 
In  the  second  day's  fight  he  could  only  hold  his  own,  while 
Longstreet,  meeting  with  little  opposition,  was  able  to  turn 
Pope's  left  flank,  and  win  the  victory. 

Lee  entered  Maryland  as  a  liberator,  believing  that  the  peo- 
ple would  rise  en  masse  to  welcome  him ;  but  he  was  greatly 
mistaken. 

Taking  the  train  from  Philadelphia,  I  went  to  Harrisburg, 
Lancaster,  and  York  in  Pennsylvania,  and  thence  into  western 
Maryland.  Everywhere  the  people  were  arming.  All  the  able- 
bodied  men  were  drilling.  All  labor  was  at  a  stand-still.  The 
fires  of  the  founderies  went  out ;  the  farmers  left  their  uncut 
grain  in  the  field.  Men  worth  millions  of  dollars  were  in  the 
ranks  as  privates.  Members  of  Congress,  professors  of  colle- 
ges with  their  classes,  iron-masters  with  their  workmen,  min- 
isters and  the  able-bodied  men  of  their  congregations,  were 
hastening  to  the  rendezvous.  The  State  Capitol  grounds  were 
swarming  with  men,  receiving  arms  and  ammunition.  It  was 
a  glorious  exhibition  of  patriotism ;  yet  I  could  but  think  that 
they  would  offer  a  feeble  resistance  in  the  open  field  to  well- 
drilled  troops.  At  Bunker  Hill  raw  militia  stood  the  fire  of 
British  veterans ;  but  such  instances  of  pluck  are  rare  in 
history. 

Going  up  the  Cumberland  Valley  I  reached  Greencastle  on 
the  14th  of  September,  ten  miles  from  Hagerstown.  I  could 
hear  a  dull  and  heavy  booming  of  cannon  to  the  south,  in  the 
direction  of  South  Mountain ;  but  the  Rebels  were  at  Hagers- 
town, and  had  made  a  dash  almost  up  to  Greencastle.  The 
only  troops  in  the  place  were  a  few  companies  watching  the 
border,  and  momentarily  expecting  the  Rebels  to  appear.  Citi- 
zens of  Maryland,  some  from  Virginia,  Union  men,  were  there, 
ready  to  run  farther  North  on  the  slightest  alarm. 

The  little  village  was  suddenly  excited  by  the  cry,  "  They 
are  coming !  "  "  They  are  coming  !  "  It  was  not  a  body  of 
Rebels,  however,  but  the  Union  cavalry,  which  had  cut  their 
way  out  from  Harper's  Ferry  in  the  night  before  the  pusiJJani- 


114  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Sept. 

mous  surrender  of  Colonel  Miles.  They  crossed  the  pontoon 
bridge,  moved  up  the  Potomac,  through  wood-paths  and  by- 
ways, twice  coming  in  contact  with  the  Rebel  pickets,  and 
falling  in  with  Longstreet's  ammunition  trains  between  Hagers- 
town  and  Williamsport,  consisting  of  one  hundred  wagons, 
which  were  captured.  Many  of  the  teamsters  were  slaves, 
who  were  very  glad  to  see  the  Yankees.  They  were  contented 
under  their  capture. 

"  Were  you  not  frightened  when  you  saw  the  Yankees  ?  "  I 
asked  of  one. 

"  Not  de  leastest  bit,  massa.  I  was  glad  to  see  'em.  Ye  see, 
we  all  wanted  to  get  Norf.  De  captain  of  de  guard,  he  tell 
me  to  whip  up  my  horses  and  get  away,  but  I  done  cut  for  de 
woods  right  towards  de  Norf." 

He  chuckled  merrily  over  it,  and  said,  "  I 's  in  de  service 
of  de  Union  now." 

He  was  driving  the  horses  with  evident  satisfaction  at  the 
sudden  change  in  his  fortunes. 

When  John  Brown  woke  the  world  from  its  dreaming  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  he  had  an  accomplice  named  Cook,  who 
escaped  and  concealed  himself  in  the  mountains  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, but  who  was  hunted  down  by  Fitz  Hugh  Miller  of 
Chambersburg.  Among  the  Rebel  prisoners  was  this  same 
Fitz  Hugh,  dressed  in  a  suit  of  rusty  gray,  with  a  black  ostrich 
plume  in  his  hat,  sun-burned,  dusty,  having  a  hang-dog  look. 
He  was  a  captain  in  the  Rebel  service.  The  Dutch  blood  of 
the  citizens,  usually  as  calm  and  steady  in  its  flow  as  the  rivers 
of  their  Fatherland,  came  up  with  a  rush. 

"  Hang  him  !  Down  with  the  traitor  !  Kill  him  !  "  they 
shouted.  Tliey  rushed  to  seize  him,  but  the  guards  kept  the 
populace  at  bay.  The  excitement  increased.  Miller  appealed 
to  the  guards  to  protect  him.  He  was  quickly  hurried  into 
the  jail,  which  was  strongly  guarded.  A  great  change  had 
taken  place  in  the  opinions  of  the  people.  They  had  been  in- 
different to  the  questions  of  the  hour,  but  the  Rebel  raid,  by 
which  they  had  lost  their  horses,  had  taught  them  an  excellent 
lesson.  Self-interest  is  sometimes  a  stimulant  to  patriotism. 
They  even  oegan  to  look  with  complacency  upon  what  John 
Brown  had  done 


1862.]  INVASION   OF   MARYLAND.  116 

The  Rebels  evacuated  Hagerstown  on  the  morning  of  the 
16th  of  September,  and  an  hour  later  I  entered  it  on  the  first 
train,  which  was  greeted  by  the  people  with  shouts  and  hurrahs 
and  demonstrations  of  joy,  as  if  it  brought  emancipation  from 
long  bondage.  Some  of  the  citizens  had  manifested  sympathy 
with  the  Rebels.  Still  there  were  groups  of  excited  men  in 
the  streets,  shouting,  "  We  '11  hang  the  cusses.  We  've  spotted 
them,  and  if  they  ever  come  back  we  11  be  the  death  of  them, 
as  sure  as  there  is  a  God.'' 

The  battle  of  South  Mountain  had  been  fought,  and  the  hos- 
tile armies  were  concentrating  for  a  trial  of  strength  along  the 
peaceful  banks  of  the  Antietam. 

I  was  awakened  at  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  of 
September  by  the  booming  of  cannon.  It  was  a  dull,  leaden 
morning.  The  clouds  hung  low  upon  the  mountains,  and 
swept  in  drifts  along  the  hillsides.  The  citizens  of  Hagerstown 
were  astir,  —  some  standing  on  the  house-tops,  listening  to  the 
increasing  thunder  of  the  cannonade,  some  in  the  church- 
steeples,  others  making  haste  to  visit  the  field  of  battle.  I 
had  no  horse,  but  finding  a  stable-keeper,  was  soon  the  owner 
of  one.  The  horse-dealer  was  quite  willing  to  dispose  of  his 
animals.  "  Horse-flesh  is  mighty  onsartin  these  days,"  said 
he.  "  The  Rebels  took  my  best  ones,  and  if  they  should  come 
here  again,  I  reckon  they  would  clean  me  out." 

My  first  impulse  was  to  push  directly  down  the  Sharpsburg 
turnpike  and  gain  the  rear  of  the  Rebels,  enter  their  lines  as  a 
citizen,  and  see  the  battle  from  their  side. 

"  Don't  do  it,  sir,"  said  a  citizen. 

Upon  reflection,  it  appeared  to  be  good  advice,  and  so  turn 
ing  about  (for  I  had  already  gone  a  mile  or  more  in  that  direc- 
tion) I  took  the  Boonsboro  pike  and  rode  rapidly  towards  the 
battle-field.  Two  or  three  miles  out  I  came  across  a  Rebel 
soldier,  —  barefoot  and  bareheaded,  pale,  sallow,  worn  out  by 
hard  marching,  lying  under  an  oak-tree  by  the  roadside.  His 
gun  was  by  his  side.  He  raised  his  head  and  held  up  his  hand, 
as  if  to  implore  me  not  to  harm  him.  He  belonged  to  a  Georgia 
regiment,  and  had  dropped  by  the  way,  too  feeble  to  keep  his 
place  in  the  ranks.     He  was  taken  care  of  by  two  citizens. 

Striking  off"  from  the  turnpike  in  a   by-path,  then  across 


116  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Sept. 

fields,  through  oak  groves,  directed  by  the  roar  of  battle, 
descending  a  steep  hill,  and  fording  the  Antietam,  I  gained 
the  battle-field  in  rear  of  the  right  wing,  where  Hooker  was  in 
command.  Passing  beyond  the  field  hospitals,  I  reached  the 
hill,  on  Poffenberg's  farm. 

The  fire  was  raging  fearfully  in  front  of  Sumner ;  but 
Hooker's  and  Mansfield's  cannon  were  silent,  cooling  their 
brazen  lips  after  the  morning's  fever.  In  the  hollow  behind 
the  ridge,  east  of  Poffenberg's  house,  the  Pennsylvania  Reserve 
Corps  —  what  was  left  of  them  —  were  lying,  sad,  yet  not  dis- 
heartened. How  changed  from  what  they  were  a  year  before, 
then  fifteen  thousand  strong ! 

"  We  cannot  lose  many  more,"  said  one,  as  I  talked  of  the 
morning's  action.  Gibbons' s  brigade,  of  Hooker's  corps,  had 
crossed  the  turnpike,  and  was  holding  the  ground  in  the  woods 
between  it  and  the  Potomac. 

Ascending  the  ridge,  I  came  upon  Battery  B,  Fourth  Artil- 
lery, also  Cooper's  and  Easton's  Pennsylvania  batteries,  the 
New  Hampshire  Ninth  and  Rhode  Island  Fifth, — thirty  pieces 
bearing  on  the  cornfield  and  the  wood-crowned  hill,  where, 
alas !  a  thousand  of  as  brave  men  as  ever  breathed  were  lying, 
who  just  before  had  moved  to  meet  the  enemy. 

The  firing  was  hot  and  heavy  a  few  rods  south. 

The  fight  began  with  the  pickets  in  the  night,  and  was  taken 
up  by  the  artillery  at  daylight.  The  Rebels  had  concentrated 
a  heavy  force  on  their  left,  we  on  our  right,  because  the  lay 
of  the  land  required  it,  the  right  being  our  strongest  ground, 
and  their  left  their  weakest.  The  ridge  behind  Poffenberg's 
house  was  the  door-post  on  which  our  fortunes  hinged.  Not 
so  with  them,  —  theirs  was  a  double  door,  its  hinge  being  in 
the  woods  bordering  the  turnpike  south  of  the  toll-house. 

Hooker  gave  Meade,  with  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  the 
right,  Ricketts  the  left,  and  placed  Doubleday  m  support  in 
rear.  Mansfield  joined  Hooker's  left,  but  was  an  hour  behind 
time.  Sumner  was  slow  to  come  into  action.  Hooker  ad- 
vanced, drove  in  the  Rebel  pickets,  found  a  Rebel  battery  on 
his  extreme  right,  which,  as  soon  as  he  came  within  its  range 
began  to  plough  him  with  a  flanking  fire.  Meade  obliqued  to 
the  right,  poured  in  a  few  ^'i)lleys,  and  drove  the  enemy  across 


1862.]  INVASION   OF  MARYLAND.  117 

the  turnpike.  This  was  the  extreme  left  of  the  enemy's  lino 
Hooker  crossed  the  turnpike  a  few  rods  north  of  Pofifenberg's, 
marched  through  the  fields  to  the  ridge  by  the  cornfield.  Hav- 
ing obtained  possession  of  the  ridge  east  of  Poffenberg's,  he 
planted  his  batteries  and  opened  a  fierce  cannonade  upon  the 
Rebels. 

The  ground  in  front  of  Hooker  was  the  scene  of  repeated 
struggles.  In  the  afternoon  the  Rebels  made  a  desperate  at- 
tempt to  regain  what  they  had  lost.  They  came  down  through 
the  cornfield,  west  of  the  turnpike,  under  cover  of  their  bat- 
teries. Hooker,  Dana,  Sedgwick,  Hartsuff,  Richardson,  and 
Mansfield,  all  general  officers,  had  been  carried  from  the  field 
wounded.  General  Howard  was  in  command  of  the  right 
wing.  I  was  talking  with  him,  when  an  officer  dashed  up  and 
said,  "  General,  the  Rebels  are  coming  down  on  us." 

We  were  in  the  open  field,  a  few  rods  southeast  of  PofFen- 
berg's  barn.  General  Howard  rode  forward  a  few  steps,  looked 
through  the  leafy  branches  of  the  oaks  along  the  turnpike. 
We  could  see  the  dark  lines  of  the  enemy  moving  through  the 
cornfield.  "  Tell  the  batteries  to  give  them  the  heaviest  fire 
possible,"  he  said.  It  was  spoken  as  deliberately  as  if  he  had 
said  to  his  servant,  "  Bring  me  a  glass  of  water."  How 
those  thirty  pieces  of  artillery  opened !  Crack !  crack !  crack ! 
and  then  a  volley  by  artillery !  How  those  gray  lines  wavered, 
swayed  to  and  fro,  and  melted  away  ! 

In  Poffenberg's  door-yard,  along  the  turnpike,  were  two  noble 
horses,  both  killed  by  the  same  cannon-shot,  smashmg  the  head 
of  one  and  tearing  the  neck  of  the  other.  The  dead  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Reserves  laid  under  the  palings  of  the  garden 
fence.  The  gable  of  the  house  was  torn  to  pieces  by  a  shell. 
In  the  field  in  front  dead  men  in  blue  and  dead  men  in  gray 
were  thickly  strown ;  and  still  farther  out,  along  the  narrow 
lane  which  runs  southwest  from  the  house,  they  were  as  thick 
as  the  withered  leaves  in  autumn.  How  the  battle-storm  howled 
through  those  woods,  fiercer  tlian  the  blasts  of  November !  It 
was  a  tornado  which  wrenched  off*  the  trunks  of  oaks  largo 
enough  for  a  ship's  keelson,  —  riving  them,  splintering  them 
with  the  force  of  a  thunderbolt. 

If  the  blow  which  Hooker  gave  had  been  a  little  more  power 


118  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Sept. 

ful,  —  if  Mansfield  had  been  ordered  in  at  the  same  instant 
with  Hooker,  —  if  Sumner  had  fallen  upon  the  Rebel  centre 
at  the  same  time,  —  there  can  be  but  little  doubt  as  to  what 
would  have  been  the  result.  But  the  battle  of  Antietam  was 
fought  by  piecemeal.  Hooker  exhausted  his  strength  before 
Mansfield  came  up ;  Mansfield  was  repulsed  before  Sumner 
came  in ;  while  Burnside,  who  had  the  most  difficult  task  of 
all,  was  censured  by  McClellan  for  not  carrying  the  bridge 
early  in  the  morning.  Yet  Franklin,  who  arrived  at  noon, 
was  only  partially  engaged,  while  Porter  was  ordered  to  stand 
a  silent  spectator  through  the  day.  The  several  corps  of  the 
Union  army  were  like  untrained  teams  of  horses,  —  each  pulled 
•  with  all  its  strength,  but  no  two  succeeded  in  pulling  together. 

It  was  not  far  from  twelve  o'clock  when  the  arrangements 
were  completed  for  Sumner's  movement.  The  artillery  pre- 
pared the  way  for  advance,  by  pouring  in  a  heavy  fire  from 
all  directions.  The  configuration  of  the  ground  admitted  of 
this.  The  cornfield  sloped  toward  the  Antietam,  and  by  care- 
ful scrutiny  the  Rebels  could  be  seen  lying  down  to  avoid  the 
shot  and  shells.  It  was  a  moment  of  anxious  expectation  to 
us  who  beheld  the  movement. 

The  divisions  moved  past  the  cemetery,  past  Roulet's  house, 
the  left  of  French's  and  the  right  of  Richardson's,  joining  in 
the  ravine.  A  few  rods  beyond  the  house  the  Rebel  skirmish- 
ers opened  a  galling  fire.  Our  own  advanced  rapidly,  drove 
them  in  through  the  nearest  cornfield.  They  fled  to  the  road, 
and  the  field  beyond. 

The  road  is  narrow,  and  by  long  usage  and  .heavy  rains,  has 
become  a  trench,  a  natural  rifle-pit  about  two  and  a  half  feet 
deep.  The  Rebels  had  thrown  off  the  top  rails  of  the  fence  in 
front,  and  strengthened  the  position  by  making  them  into 
ahattiy  —  imitating  the  example  set  by  General  Stark  on  the 
northeastern  slope  of  Bunker  Hill,  in  1775. 

The  roadway  was  their  first  line ;  their  second  was  in  the 
corn,  five  or  six  rods  farther  west. 

The  Union  troops  advanced  in  front  of  the  road,  when  up 
rose  the  first  Rebel  line.  The  fence  became  a  line  of  flame  and 
smoke.  The  cornfield  beyond,  on  higher  ground,  was  a  sheet 
of  fire.     With  a  rush  and  cheer,  the  men  in  blue  moved  up 


THE    SUMKEN    llOAD. 


»         I    <  «i     . » 


1862.J  INVASION   OF  MARYLAND.  119 

to  the  fence,  ploughed  through  and  through  by  the  batteries 
above,  cut  and  gashed  by  the  leaden  hail,  thrust  the  muzzles  of 
their  guns  into  the  faces  of  the  Rebels  and  fired. 

The  first  Rebel  line  was  nearly  annihilated,  and  the  dead 
lying  beneath  the  tasselled  corn  were  almost  as  many  as  the 
golden  ears  upon  the  stalks.  Visiting  the  spot  when  the  con- 
test was  over,  I  judged  ft-om  a  little  counting  that  a  thousand 
of  the  enemy's  dead  were  in  the  road  and  the  adjoining  field. 
A  shell  had  thrown  seven  into  one  heap,  —  some  on  their 
faces,  some  on  their  backs,  —  fallen  as  a  handful  of  straws 
would  fall  when  dropped  upon  the  ground.  But  not  they  alone 
sufiered.  The  bloody  tide  which  had  surged  through  all  the 
morning  between  the  ridges  above,  along  the  right,  had  flowed 
over  the  hill  at  this  noontide  hour.  The  yellow  soil  became 
crimson ;  the  russet  corn-leaves  turned  to  red,  as  if  autumn 
had  put  on  in  a  moment  her  richest  glory.  How  costly !  Five 
thousand  men,  —  I  think  I  do  not  exaggerate,  —  wounded  and 
dead,  lay  along  that  pathway  and  in  the  adjoining  field !  * 

To  Burnside  was  assigned  the  duty  of  carrying  the  stone 
bridge,  two  miles  below  the  turnpike,  and  taking  the  batteries 
which  were  in  position  south  of  Sharpsburg.  It  was  a  difficult 
task.  A  high-banked  stream,  bordered  by  willows ;  a  narrow 
bridge ;  a  steep  hill ;  cleared  lands,  with  no  shelter  from  the 
batteries  in  front  and  on  both  his  flanks,  after  he  should  have 
succeeded  in  crossing  the  stream. 

Burnside  planted  his  cannon  on  the  high  hills  or  ridges  east 
of  the  river,  and  kept  them  in  play  a  long  time  before  any 
attempt  was  made  on  the  bridge  by  infantry.  The  Rebel  bat- 
teries replied,  and  there  was  an  incessant  storm  of  shot  and 
shell. 

The  road  on  the  eastern  side  winds  down  a  ravine  to  the 
river,  which  is  an  hundred  feet  below  the  summit  of  the  hills 
where  his  artillery  was  posted.  It  is  a  narrow  path,  with  a 
natural  embankment  on  +^      .gni  hand,  covered  with  oaks. 


*  The  accompaiiTing  Ulustration  is  an  accurate  representation  drawn  by  Mr 
Waud,  who  witnessed  the  battle.  The  battery  in  the  foreground  is  north  of  the 
house  of  Mr.  Roulet,  near  the  centre  of  Sumner's  line.  French's  and  Richard- 
son's divisions  are  seen  in  the  middle  of  the  picture,  and  the  Rebels  under  D.  H. 
Hill  and  Longstreet  beyond. 


120  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [Sept. 

Tlicre  is  a  piece  of  bottom  land  eight  or  ten  rods  wide  on  the 
eastern  side  of  the  river.  The  bridge  is  narrow  and  about 
seventy-five  feet  long.  After  crossing  the  stream  the  road 
runs  diagonally  up  the  bank  toward  the  north.  On  the  west- 
ern side  are  willows  fringing  the  stream,  their  graceful 
branches  bending  down  to  the  water,  and  covering  the  oppo- 
site shore.  The  bank  is  very  abrupt.  A  small  force  on  either 
side  can  hold  the  bridge  against  a  large  body  of  men. 

The  bridge  was  carried  in  the  afternoon  by  a  desperate 
charge.  I  was  watching  operations  in  the  centre  at  the  time, 
and  saw  only  the  smoke  of  the  contest  on  the  left,  and  heard 
its  deafening  roar.  Riding  down  there  later  in  the  day,  I  wit- 
nessed the  last  attack.  Both  parties  had  put  on  new  vigor  at 
the  sunset  hour.  The  fire  kindled  along  the  line.  Far  upon 
the  right  was  the  smoke  of  thirty  cannon,  rising  in  a  white 
sulphurous  cloud.  The  woods  opposite,  where  the  Rebel  bat- 
teries were,  flamed  like  a  furnace.  A  little  nearer  Sumner's 
artillery  was  thundering  and  hurling  its  bolts  into  the  Rebels 
by  the  Dunker  church.  Ayers's  battery  was  pouring  a  deadly 
fire  into  the  cornfield,  west  of  Roulet's,  where  the  Rebel  line 
was  lying  under  cover.  Above,  on  the  highest  hillock,  a  half- 
mile  from  Sharpsburg,  a  heavy  Rebel  battery  boomed  defiance. 
Richardson's  artillery,  immediately  in  front,  was  sending  shells 
upon  the  hill  and  into  Sharpsburg,  where  hay-stacks,  houses 
*ind  barns  were  burning,  rolling  up  tall  pillars  of  cloud  and 
flame  to  heaven.  At  our  left  Burnside's  heavy  guns  worked 
mightily,  answered  by  the  opposing  batteries.  The  musketry 
had  ceased,  save  a  few  volleys  rolling  from  beyond  the  willows 
in  the  valley,  and  a  little  dripping,  like  rain-drops  after  a 
shower.  It  was  a  continuous  roll  of  thunder.  The  sun  went 
down,  reddened  in  the  smoky  haze. 

After  the  retreat  of  Lee,  I  rode  over  the  ground  occupied 
by  the  Rebels,  and  surveyed  the  field  from  every  point.  The 
dead  were  thickly  strewn.  A  Rebel  battery  had  occupied  the 
ground  around  the  Dunker  church,  a  small  brick  building  on 
the  turnpike,  a  mile  south  of  Poffenberg's.  At  its  door-step 
lay  a  major,  a  captain,  and  eleven  men,  all  dead.  A  wounded 
horse,  unable  to  lie  down,  was  standing  near  a  dismantled  cais- 
Bon.     Almost  human  was  the  besoeching  look  of  the  dumb 


* 


iiilliiiliiif 


iiii?! 


f  ii' '% 


'§tW'' 


lii'iii*-  f  ^ 


1862.] 


INVASION   OF  MARYLAND. 


121 


beast!  Near  by  was  a  soldier  lying  with  his  eyes  fixed  on 
heaven.  He  had  died  calmly.  His  pocket  Bible  was  open 
upon  his  breast.  Taking  it  up  my  eye  fell  upon  the  words : 
"  Though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  I 
will  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with  me ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff, 
they  comfort  me."  All  the  turmoil  of  life  was  over.  He  had 
done  his  duty,  and  had  passed  on  to  his  reward.* 

Lee  recrossed  the  Potomac  without  molestation  from  McClel- 
lan,  and  the  two  armies  went  into  camp,  as  if  mutually  agreed 
upon  having  a  season  of  rest  after  the  hardships  of  the  cam- 
paign. 

♦  Want  of  space  compels  me  to  give  only  a  sketch  of  the  battle ;  but  a  full,  cir- 
cumstantial, and  detailed  account  of  the  positions  and  movements  of  the  two 
armies  may  be  found  in  "  Following'the  Flag,"  published  by  Messrs.  Ticknor  and 
Fields  of  Boston. 


FOR   THE    BOYS    IN    BLUB. 


122  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [October, 


CHAPTER    IX. 

INVASION    OF    KENTUCKY. 

Simultaneous  with  Lee's  advance  into  Maryland  was  that  of 
General  Bragg  into  Kentucky.  As  there  were  no  indications 
that  McClellan  would  follow  Lee  into  Virginia,  I  hastened  to 
Kentucky  to  observe  the  events  transpiring  in  that  department. 
General  Buell  was  still  in  command  of  the  Union  forces.  He 
had  been  lying  quiet  through  thq  summer,  occupying  Chattar 
nooga  on  the  east,  Florence  on  the  west,  and  spreading  his 
troops  over  a  large  territory.  There  were  detachments  at 
Nashville,  McMinnville,  Murfreesboro,  and  Mumfordville.  This 
force  in  Tennessee  was  piled  in  the  form  of  a  pyramid,  Flor- 
ence and  Chattanooga  being  the  base  and  Nash^dlle  the 
apex.  In  addition  there  was  a  force  under  General  Morgan 
holding  Cumberland  Gap,  a  passage  in  the  mountains  at  the 
extreme  southwestern  part  of  Virginia,  where  the  Old  Do- 
minion rests  like  the  point  of  a  ploughshare  against  the  moun- 
tains which  separate  it  from  Kentucky.  Since  Daniel  Boone 
passed  through  it,  the  Gap  has  been  the  great  thoroughfare  be- 
tween the  West  and  East.  The  distance  from  the  Gap,  where 
Morgan  was  keeping  watch  and  ward,  to  Chattanooga,  is  about 
one  hundred  and  forty  miles.  Through  this  gateway  the  Reb- 
els resolved  to  enter  Kentucky,  replenish  their  stores,  make 
a  demonstration  upon  Cincinnati,  capture  Louisville,  cut  off 
Buell's  supplies  and  communications,  outflank  him,  destroy  his 
army,  transfer  the  war  to  the  Ohio  River,  and  redeem  Kentucky. 
Buell  was  m  repose,  unconscious  of  General  Bragg's  inten- 
tions. 

Bragg  formed  his  army  in  three  columns  near  Kjioxville,  — 
one  to  move  upon  the  Gap,  approaching  it  from  the  west,  the 
second,  under  Kirby  Smith,  to  move  directly  upon  Lexington, 
Danville,  and  Frankfort,  the  third  to  capture  the  six  thousand 
at  Mumfordville,  and  then  joining  the  second  division  at  Lex- 


1862.]  INVASION   OF  KENTUCKY.  123 

ington,  push  on  in  conjunction  with  it  to  Louisville.  John  Mor- 
gan, the  commander  of  the  Rebel  cavalry,  moved  in  advance 
and  captured  Morgan's  supply  trains  on  the  17th  of  August. 
It  was  the  first  intimation  General  Morgan  or  Buell  had  of  the 
intentions  of  the  Rebels.  Morgan  knew  not  what  was  going 
on  in  his  rear.  The  Rebels  prudently  refrained  from  attacking 
him.  The  pass  would  fall  into  their  hands  when  all  their  plans 
were  ripe.  Morgan  held  his  position  till  the  17th  of  September, 
when,  having  exhausted  his  provisions,  he  spiked  his  guns,  de- 
stroyed the  fortifications,  and  all  his  tent  equipage,  and  marched 
north  to  the  Ohio  River,  through  the  mountains,  reaching  it 
without  loss. 

The  centre  column  of  the  Rebels  moved  upon  Frankfort, 
gathering  up  cattle,  horses,  goods  of  all  kinds,  cloth,  clothes, 
boots,  shoes,  grain,  and  everything  which  could  minister  to 
their  comfort.  They  visited  the  wealthy  farmers  of  the  blue- 
grass  region,  selected  the  best  Kentucky  stock,  purchased  all 
the  new  wheat,  set  the  flour-mills  a  humming,  keeping  the 
millers  at  it  day  and  night.  Never  were  millers  so  busy,  each 
miller  tending  his  grinding  with  a  Rebel  bayonet  at  his  door, 
the  glittering  of  which  reminded  him  that  he  had  a  duty  to 
perform  to  the  Confederacy. 

At  Frankfort,  the  capital  of  the  State,  they  took  possession 
of  the  state-house,  inaugurated  a  governor,  had  a  grand  pro- 
cession, with  speeches,  and  a  banquet,  and  a  general  gala- 
day.  They  invited  the  merchants  to  open  their  stores,  made 
princely  purchases  of  goods,  paying  liberally  in  the  legal  cur- 
rency of  the  Confederacy.  They  sent  off  long  lines  of  wagons 
toward  the  South  laden  with  supplies.  The  Kentucky  farmers 
were  relieved  of  their  negroes  as  well  as  of  their  horses.  They 
took  the  negroes,  saying  to  their  masters,  "  Swear  allegiance 
to  the  Confederacy  and  you  shall  be  paid,  but  otherwise  they 
shall  be  confiscated." 

Thousands  of  slaves  fled  across  the  Ohio,  for  fear  of  being 
captured.  Thus  the  war  was  a  double  reverse  acting  mill, 
grinding  slavery  to  powder  in  the  State.  For  six  weeks  the 
Rebels  had  it  all  their  own  way. 

The  third  column  moved  upon  Mumfordville,  surprised  the 
six  thousand  men  in  that  place,  and  pushed  on  towards  Louis- 


124  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [October, 

ville.  The  Rebel  forces  were  far  on  their  way  before  Buell 
awoke  from  his  dreaming.  He  gathered  in  his  divisions,  and 
keeping  west  of  Bragg,  made  haste  to  reach  Louisville.  If 
after  taking  Mumfordville  Bragg  had  pushed  on  rapidly,  ho 
doubtless  could  have  taken  Louisville,  but  waiting  a  day,  the 
golden  opportunity  was  lost.  He  was  evidently  well  pleased 
with  his  reception  at  Lexington  and  Frankfort.  A  Rebel  writer 
thus  describes  the  former :  — 

''  The  entrance  of  our  troops  into  Lexington  was  the  occasion  of  the 
most  inspiriting  and  touching  scenes.  Streets,  windows,  and  gardens 
were  filled  with  ladies  and  little  girls  with  streamers  of  red  and  blue 
ribbons  and  flags  with  stars.  Beautiful  women  seized  the  hard  brown 
hands  of  our  rough  and  ragged  soldiers,  and  with  tears  and  smiles 
thanked  them  again  and  again  for  coming  into  Kentucky  and  freeing 
them  from  the  presence  and  insults  of  the  hated  and  insolent  Yankees. 
For  hours  the  enthusiasm  of  the  people  was  unbounded.  At  every  comer 
of  the  streets  baskets  of  provisions  and  buckets  of  water  were  placed 
for  the  refreshment  of  our  weary  soldiers,  and  hundreds  of  our  men  were 
presented  with  shoes  and  hats  and  coats  and  tobacco  by  the  grateful 
people.  Private  residences  were  turned  for  the  time  into  public  houses 
of  entertainment,  free  to  all  who  could  be  persuaded  to  go  and  eat. 
But  if  the  reception  of  the  infantry  was  enthusiastic,  the  tears,  the 
smiles,  and  shouts  and  cheers  of  wild  delight  which  greeted  General 
John  Morgan's  cavalry,  as  they  came  dashing  through  the  streets 
amidst  clouds  of  dust,  was  without  a  parallel.  The  wildest  joy  ruled 
the  hours.  The  bells  of  the  city  pealed  forth  their  joyous  welcome, 
whilst  the  waving  of  thousands  of  white  handkerchiefs  and  tiny  con- 
federate flags  attested  the  gladness  and  delight  of  every  heart."  * 

There  were  also  gay  times  in  Frankfort.     Mr.  Harris  was  in 
augurated  Provisional  Governor  of  the  State  by  special  order 
of  General  Bragg,  which  read  as  follows :  — 

"  Hbad-quabters  Army  of  Kentucky,  Lexington,  October  2,  1862. 

"  Installation  of  the  Provisional  Governor  at  Frankfort  on  Saturday, 
October  4th,  at  12  M.  Major-General  Smith  is  charged  with  the  man- 
agement of  the  military  escort,  guard,  and  salute. 

"  The  Governor  will  be  escorted  from  his  quarters  by  a  squadron  of 
cavalry,  and  accompanied  by  the  Commander  of  the  Confederate  State 
forces,  Major-General  Buckner,  Brigadier-General  Preston,  and  theu 

*  Pollard's  Second  Year  of  the  War,  p  152. 


1862.]  INVASION  OF  KENTUCKY.  125 

respective  staffs.    The  Commanding  General  will  present  the  Governor 
to  the  people,  and  transfer  in  behalf  of  the   Confederate   States  the 
civil  orders  of  the  State,  and  public  records  and  property. 
"  By  order. 

"Braxton  Bragg,  General  Commanding." 

A  host  of  generals  graced  the  occasion,  —  Bragg,  Kirby 
Smith,  Buckner,  Stevenson,  Claiborne,  Heath,  Churchill,  Pres- 
ton Smith,  and  William  Preston.  The  Capital  Hotel,  where 
tlie  politics  of  the  country  were  wont  to  be  discussed  by  Henry 
Clay,  Crittenden,  and  other  great  lights  of  former  days,  was 
crowded  by  the  chivalry  of  the  South.  The  landlord  found  his 
larder  depleting,  his  liquors  disappearing,  but  he  had  baskets 
full  of  Confederate  notes,  m  exchange  for  food,  fire,  and  lodg- 
ing, liquors  and  cigars.  The  ladies  kept  open  house,  and 
uivited  the  Rebel  officers  to  tea  on  the  auspicious  occasion. 

Meanwhile  General  Dumont's  division  of  Union  troops,  and 
General  Sill's  division  were  approaching  Frankfort  from  the 
north.  General  Bragg  was  dining  with  the  accomplished  Mrs. 
Preston,  when  a  messenger  dashed  into  town  with  the  intelli- 
gence of  the  advance  of  the  Union  troops.  Governor  Harris,  — 
six  hours  a  Governor, — packed  his  carpet-bag  in  great  haste. 
The  brilliant  throng  of  Rebel  officers  mounted  their  horses, 
the  ladies  took  down  their  miniature  flags,  while  the  citizens 
of  the  place  prepared  to  change  their  politics.  The  Rebel 
force  in  the  town  consisted  of  two  regiments  of  infantry  and 
one  of  cavalry,  guarding  the  turnpike  bridge  across  the  Ken- 
tucky river. 

The  Union  cavalry  came  thundering  down  the  hill.  It  was 
in  the  evening ;  and  without  halting  to  ascertain  who  or  what 
they  were  to  encounter,  dashed  across  the  bridge.  The  Rebels 
gave  one  irresolute  volley  and  fled  precipitately  from  the  town, 
which  was  once  more  and  for  a  finality  in  the  hands  of  the 
Union  men.  Four  days  later  the  battle  of  Perryville  was 
fought,  and  then  the  Rebels  retired  from  the  State  with  their 
booty. 

Their  visit  was  at  once  a  curse  and  a  blessing,  —  a  curse, 
because  of  the  havoc,  the  desolation,  and  pillage;  a  blessing, 
!  >ecause  it  brought  Kentuckians  to  a  sharp  corner.  The  Pres- 
ident  had  just  issued  his  Proclamation  of  freedom,  and  Ken- 


126  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [October, 

tucky  slaveholders  were  grumbling,  and  were  ready  to  shake 
hands  with  the  Rebels.  They  had  welcomed  their  Southern 
friends,  who  had  robbed  and  plundered  them  without  stint. 

There  was  a  marked  change  visible  in  the  opinions  of  most 
men.  The  high-handed  outrages,  the  authorized  thieving,  the 
forcing  of  Confederate  notes  upon  the  people,  making  it  treason 
to  refuse  them  in  exchange  for  horses,  cattle,  clothes,  and  pro- 
visions, the  confiscation  of  negroes,  the  grotesque  appearance 
of  the  Rebel  soldiers,  — 

"  Some  in  rags,  some  in  tags, 
But  none  in  velvet  gowns,"  — 

as  reads  the  old  nursery  rhyme,  dissipated  the  illusion  in 
which  many  men  had  indulged.  Bunyan's  two  pilgrims, 
Christian  and  Faithful,  met  a  black  man  clothed  in  white 
garments,  as  they  journeyed  over  the  enchanted  ground,  who, 
with  many  fair  speeches,  would  have  turned  them  from  the 
glittering  gates  of  the  golden  city ;  but  when  the  robe  dropped 
from  his  limbs  they  saw  that  he  was  hideous,  and  that  to  fol- 
low him  was  to  go  back  again  to  the  city  of  Destruction.  So 
Kentucky  had  seen  the  flatterer.  The  white  robe  had  fallen ; 
he  was  repulsive.  Ladies  who  wished  to  welcome  the  Rebels 
as  soldiers  of  the  chivalrous  South  shrank  with  horror  from 
the  filthy  crowd.  The  enchantment  was  ended.  Loyalty  was 
taking  root. 

Yet  there  were  many  old  planters,  partisans  of  an  efiete 
party,  —  once  Democratic  in  principle,  —  who  clung  to  slav- 
ery with  a  tenacity  like  that  of  barnacles  to  a  worm-eaten 
hulk.  The  Louisville  Journal  condemned  the  Proclamation, 
giving  utterance  to  the  voice  of  the  slaveholders,  declaring 
that  the  Proclamation  would  have  no  binding  force  in  that 
State  ;  but  the  soldiers  hailed  it  with  joy.  They  felt  that 
slavery  was  the  cause  of  the  war,  and  were  longing  to  see  it 
overthrown.  Bragg  having  left  the  State,  many  masters  began 
to  look  up  their  slaves,  some  of  whom  had  fled  to  the  Union 
lints  for  protection. 

One  wing  of  the  army  was  resting  at  Williamstown,  about 
twenty-five  miles  south  of  Cincinnati,  in  which  was  a  division 
commanded  by  General  Q.  A.  Gillmore ;  then  a  brigadier  who, 


J  862. J  INVASION   OF  KENTUCKY.  127 

in  common  with  many  other  officers,  believed  in  whB,t  was 
called  the  "  Kentucky  policy."  When  the  army  began  a  for- 
ward movement  in  pursuit  of  Bragg,  General  Gillniore  issued 
an  order,  known  as  General  Order  No.  5,  which  reads  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

"  All  contrabands,  except  officers'  servants,  will  be  left  behind  when 
the  army  moves  to-morrow  morning.  PubHc  transportation  will  in  no 
case  be  furnished  to  officers'  servants. 

"  Commanders  of  regiments  and  detachments  will  see  this  order 
promptly  enforced." 

Among  the  regiments  of  the  division  was  the  Twenty-Second 
Wisconsin,  Colonel  Utley,  an  officer  who  had  no  sympathy 
with  slavery.  He  had  a  cool  head  and  a  good  deal  of  nerve. 
He  had  read  the  Proclamation  of  President  Lincoln,  and  made 
up  his  mind  to  do  what  was  right,  recognizing  the  President  as 
his  Commander-in-Chief,  and  not  the  State  of  Kentucky.  There 
were  negroes  accompanying  his  regiment,  and  he  did  not  see  fit 
to  turn  them  out.  Three  days  later  he  received  the  following 
note :  — 

"  October  18,  1862. 
"  Colonel  :  You  will  at  once  send  to  my  head-quarters  the  four  con- 
trabands, John,  Abe,  George,  and  Dick,  known  to  belong  to  good  and 
loyal  citizens.     They  are  in  your  regiment,  or  were  this  morning. 
"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  Q.  A.  GiLLMORE,  Brigadier-  General" 

Colonel  Utley,  instead  of  sending  the  men,  replied :  — 
"  Permit  me  to  say,  that  I  recognize  your  authority  to  command  me 
in  all  military  matters  pertaining  to  the  military  movements  of  the 
army.  I  do  not  look  upon  this  as  belonging  to  that  department.  I 
recognize  no  authority  on  the  subject  of  delivering  up  contrabands  save 
that  of  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

"  You  are,  no  doubt,  conversant  with  that  Proclamation,  dated  Sept 
22,  1862,  and  the  law  of  Congress  on  the  subject.  In  conclusion,  I 
will  say,  that  I  had  nothing  to  do  with  their  coming  into  camp,  and 
shall  have  nothing  to  do  with  sending  them  out.'* 

The  note  was  despatched  to  division  head-quarters.  Soon 
after  an  officer  called  upon  Colonel  Utley. 

"You  are  wanted,  sir,  at  General  Gillmore's  quarters." 
Colonel  Utley  made  his  appearance  before  General  Gillmore. 


128  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Octobor, 

"  1  sent  you  an  ordor  this  evening." 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  I  refused  to  obey  it." 

"  I  intend  to  be  obeyed,  sir.  I  shall  settle  this  matter  at 
once.     I  shall  repeat  the  order  in  the  morning." 

"  General,  to  save  you  the  trouble  and  folly  of  such  a  course, 
let  me  say  that  I  shall  not  obey  it." 

The  Colonel  departed.  Morning  came,  but  brought  no  order 
for  the  delivery  of  the  contrabands  to  their  former  owner. 

As  the  regiment  passed  through  Georgetown,  a  largo  num* 
her  of  slaves  belonging  to  citizens  of  that  place  fled  from 
their  masters,  and  found  shelter  in  the  army.  Some  of  the 
oflScers  who  had  less  nerve  than  Colonel  Utley  gave  them  up, 
or  permitted  the  owners  to  come  and  take  them.  A  Michigan 
regiment  marching  through  the  town  had  its  lines  entered  by 
armed  citizens,  who  forcibly  took  away  their  slaves.  Colonel 
Utley  informed  the  inhabitants  that  any  attempt  to  take  contra- 
bands from  his  lines  would  be  resisted. 

"  Let  me  say  to  you,  gentlemen,"  he  said  to  a  delegation  of 
the  citizens,  "  tiiat  my  men  will  march  with  loaded  muskets, 
and  if  any  attempt  is  made  upon  my  regiment,  I  shall  sweep 
your  streets  with  fire,  and  close  the  history  of  Georgetown.  If 
you  seriously  intend  any  such  business,  I  advise  you  to  remove 
the  women  and  children." 

The  regiment  marched  the  next  morning  with  loaded  mus- 
kets. The  citizens  beheld  their  negroes  sheltered  and  protected 
by  a  forest  of  gleaming  bayonets,  and  wisely  concluded  not  to 
attempt  the  recovery  of  the  uncertain  property. 

The  day  after  its  arrival  in  Nicholasville,  a  large,  portly 
gentleman,  lying  back  in  an  elegant  carriage,  rode  up  to  the 
camp,  and  making  his  appearance  before  the  Colonel,  intro- 
duced himself  as  Judge  Robertson,  Chief  Justice  of  the  State 
of  Kentucky. 

"  I  am  in  pursuit  of  one  of  my  boys,  who  I  understand  is  in 
this  regiment,"  he  said. 

"  You  mean  one  of  your  slaves,  I  presume  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir.  Here  is  an  order  from  the  General,  which  you 
will  see  directs  that  I  may  be  permitted  to  enter  the  lines  and 
get  the  boy,"  said  the  Judge,  with  great  dignity. 

"  I  do  not  permit  any  civilian  to  enter  my  lines  for  any  such 
purpose,"  said  the  Colonel. 


>.  o  •        c  c  ■ 


1862.]  INVASION   OF  KENTUCKY.  129 

The  Judge  sat  down,  not  greatly  astonished,  for  the  reputa- 
tion of  the  Twenty-Second  Wisconsin,  as  an  abolition  regiment, 
was  well  established.  He  began  to  argue  the  matter.  He 
talked  of  tlie  compromises  of  the  Constitution,  and  proceeded 
to  say :  — 

"  I  was  in  Congress,  sir,  when  the  Missouri  Compromise  was 
adopted,  and  voted  for  it ;  but  I  am  opposed  to  slavery,  and  I 
once  wrote  an  essay  on  the  subject,  favoring  emancipation." 

"  Well,  sir,  all  that  may  be.  If  you  did  it  from  principle, 
it  was  commendable ;  but  your  mission  here  to-day  gives  the 
lie  to  your  professions.  I  don't  permit  negro-hunters  to  go 
through  my  regiment ;  but  I  will  see  if  I  can  find  the  boy,  and 
if  he  is  willing  to  go  I  will  not  hinder  him." 

The  Colonel  went  out  and  found  the  negro  Joe,  a  poor,  half- 
starved,  undersized  boy,  nineteen  years  old.  He  told  his  story. 
He  belonged  to  the  Judge,  who  had  let  him  to  a  brutal  Irish 
man  for  $  50  a  year.  He  had  been  kicked  and  cuffed,  starved 
and  whipped,  till  he  could  stand  it  no  longer.  He  went  to  the 
Judge  and  complained,  but  had  been  sent  back  only  to  receive 
a  w^^'^'^G  thrashing  for  daring  to  complain.  At  last  he  took  to 
the  \N  oods,  lived  on  walnuts,  green  corn,  and  apples,  sleeping 
among  the  corn-shucks  and  wheat-stacks  till  the  army  came. 
There  were  tears  in  Joe's  eyes  as  he  rehearsed  his  sufferings. 

The  Colonel  went  back  to  the  Judge. 

"  Have  you  found  him  ?  " 

"  I  have  found  a  little  yellow  boy,  who  says  that  he  belongs 
to  a  man  in  Lexington.     Come  and  see  him." 

"  This  man  claims  you  as  his  property,  Joe ;  he  says  that 
you  ran  away  and  left  him,"  said  the  Colonel. 

"  Yes,  sah,  I  belongs  to  him,"  said  Joe,  who  told  his  story 
again  in  a  plain,  straightforward  manner,  showing  a  neck 
8carred  and  cut  by  the  whip. 

"  You  can  talk  with  Joe,  sir,  if  you  wish,"  said  the  Colonel. 

"  Have  not  I  always  treated  you  well  ?  "  the  Judge  asked. 

"  No,  massa,  you  has  n't,"  was  the  square,  plump  reply. 

"  How  so  ?  " 

"  When  I  came  to  you  and  told  you  I  could  n't  stand  t  any 
longer,  you  said,  *  Go  back,  you  dog ! '  " 

"  Did  not  I  tell  you  that  I  would  take  you  away  ?  " 

9 


180  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [October, 

"  Yes,  massa,  but  you  never  did  it." 

The  soldiers  came  round  and  listened.  Joe  saw  that  they 
were  friends.     The  Judge  stood  speechless  a  moment. 

"  Joe,"  said  the  Colonel,  "  are  you  willing:  to  sco  home  with 
your  master  ? " 

"  No,  sah,  I  is  n't." 

"  Judge  Robertson,  I  don't  think  you  can  get  that  boy.  If 
you  think  you  can,  there  he  is,  try  it.  I  shall  have  nothing 
to  do  with  it,"  said  the  Colonel,  casting  a  significant  glance 
around  to  the  soldiers  who  had  gathered  about  them. 

The  Judge  saw  that  he  could  not  lay  hands  upon  Joe.  "  I  '11 
see  whether  there  is  any  virtue  in  the  laws  of  Kentucky,"  he 
said,  with  great  emphasis. 

"  Perhaps,  Judge,  it  will  be  as  well  for  you  to  leave  the 
camp.  Some  of  my  men  are  a  little  excitable  on  the  subject 
of  slavery." 

"  You  are  a  set  of  nigger-stealers,"  said  the  Judge,  losing 
his  temper. 

"  Allow  me  to  say,  Judge,  that  it  does  not  become  you  to 
call  us  nigger-stealers.  You  talk  about  nigger-stealing,  —  you 
who  live  on  the  sweat  and  blood  of  such  creatures  as  Joe! 
Your  dwellings,  your  churches,  are  built  from  the  earnings  of 
slaves,  beaten  out  of  them  by  brutal  overseers.  You  hire  little 
children  out  to  brutes,  —  you  clothe  them  in  rags,  —  you  hunt 
them  with  hounds,  —  you  chain  them  down  to  toil  and  suffer- 
ing !  You  call  us  thieves  because  we  have  given  your  Joe  food 
and  protection!  Sir,  I  would  rather  be  in  the  place  of  Joe 
than  in  that  of  his  oppressor ! "  was  the  indignant  outburst 
of  the  Colonel. 

"  Well,  sir,  if  that  is  the  way  you  men  of  the  North  feel, 
the  Union  never  can  be  saved,  —  never !  You  must  give  up 
our  property." 

"  Judge,  allow  me  to  tell  you  what  sort  of  Unionism  I  have 
found  in  Kentucky.  I  have  not  seen  a  half-dozen  who  did  not 
damn  the  President.  You  may  put  all  the  pure  Unionism  in 
Kentucky  in  one  scale,  and  a  ten-pound  nigger  baby  in  the 
other,  and  the  Unionism  will  kick  the  beam.  Allow  me  to  say, 
further,  that  if  the  perpetuity  or  restoration  of  the  Union  de- 
pends upon  my  delivering  to  you  with  my  own  hands  that  little 


1862.]  INVASION  OF  KENTUCKY.  181 

half-starved  dwarf  of  a  slave,  the  Union  may  be  cast  into  hell 
with  all  the  nations  that  forget  God !  " 

"  The  President's  Proclamation  is  unconstitutional.  It  has 
no  bearing  on  Kentucky.  I  see  that  it  is  your  deliberate  inten- 
tion to  set  at  naught  the  laws,"  said  the  Judge,  turning  away, 
and  walking  to  General  Gillmore's  head-quarters. 

"  You  are  wanted  at  the  General's  head-quarters,"  said  an 
aid,  soon  after,  to  Colonel  Utley. 

The  Colonel  obeyed  the  summons,  and  found  there  not  only 
Judge  Robertson,  but  several  fine  old  Kentucky  gentlemen ;  also 
Colonel  Coburn,  the  commander  of  the  brigade,  who  agreed 
with  General  Gillmore  in  the  policy  then  current.  Colonel 
Coburn  said :  — 

"  The  policy  of  the  commanding  generals,  as  I  understand 
it,  is  simply  this :  that  persons  who  have  lost  slaves  have  a 
right  to  hunt  for  them  anywhere  in  the  State.  If  a  slave  gets 
inside  of  the  lines  of  a  regiment,  the  owner  has  a  right  to  enter 
those  lines,  just  as  if  no  regiment  was  there,  and  take  away  the 
fugitive  at  his  own  pleasure." 

"Precisely  so.  The  Proclamation  has  no  force  in  this 
State,"  said  the  Judge. 

"  I  regret  that  I  am  under  the  necessity  of  differing  in  opin- 
ion from  my  commanding  officers,  to  whom  I  am  ready  at  all 
times  to  render  strict  military  obedience,  but  (the  Colonel 
raised  his  voice)  I  reverse  the  Kentucky  policy  !  I  hold  that  the 
regiment  stands  precisely  as  though  there  were  no  slavery  in 
Kentucky.  We  came  here  as  free  men,  from  a  free  State,  at 
the  call  of  the  President  to  uphold  a  free  government.  We 
have  nothing  to  do  with  slavery.  The  Twenty-Second  Wis- 
consin, while  I  have  the  honor  to  command  it,  will  never  be 
a  regiment  of  nigger-catchers.  I  will  not  allow  civilians  to 
enter  my  lines  at  pleasure  ;  it  is  unmilitary.  Were  I  to  permit 
it,  I  should  be  justly  amenable  to  a  court-martial.  Were  I 
to  do  it,  spies  might  enter  my  lines  at  all  times  and  depart  at 
pleasure." 

There  was  silence.  But  Judge  Robertson  was  loath  to  go 
away  without  his  flesh  and  blood.  He  made  one  more  effort. 
"  Colonel,  I  did  not  come  to  your  lines  as  a  spy,  but  with 
an  order  from  your  General.  Are  you  willing  that  I  should 
go  and  get  my  boy  ?  " 


132  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [October. 

The  Colonel  reflected  a  moment. 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  I  will  remain  here.  I  told  you  before  that  1 
should  have  nothing  to  do  with  it." 

"  Do  you  think  that  the  men  will  permit  me  to  take  him  ?  " 

"  I  have  no  orders  to  issue  to  them  in  the  matter ;  they  wiD 
do  just  as  they  please." 

''  Will  you  send  the  boy  into  some  other  regiment  ?  " 

This  was  too  much  for  the  Colonel.  He  could  no  longer  re 
strain  his  indignation.  Looking  the  Judge  squarely  in  the  face, 
he  vented  his  anger  in  scathing  words. 

The  Judge  departed,  and  at  the  next  session  of  the  Court 
Colonel  Utley  was  indicted  for  man-stealing ;  but  he  has  not  yet 
been  brought  to  trial.  The  case  is  postponed  till  the  day  of 
Judgment,  when  a  righteous  verdict  will  be  rendered. 

The  Judge  returned  to  Lexington,  called  a  public  meeting,  at 
which  he  made  a  speech,  denouncing  the  Twenty-Second  Wis- 
consin as  an  abolition  regiment,  and  introducing  resolutions 
declaring  that  the  Union  never  could  be  restored  if  the  laws  of 
the  State  of  Kentucky  were  thus  set  at  defiance.  This  from 
the  Judge,  while  his  son  was  in  the  Rebel  service,  fighting 
against  the  Union. 

But  the  matter  was  not  yet  over.  A  few  days  later,  the 
division  containing  the  Twenty-Second  Wisconsin,  commanded 
by  General  Baird,  vice  Gillmore,  was  ordered  down  the  river. 
It  went  to  Louisville,  followed  by  the  slave-hunters,  who  were 
determined  to  have  their  negroes. 

Orders  were  issued  to  the  colonels  not  to  take  any  contra- 
bands on  board  the  boats,  and  most  of  them  obeyed.  Colonel 
Utley  issued  no  orders. 

A  citizen  called  upon  him  and  said,  — 

"  Colonel,  you  will  have  trouble  in  going  through  the  cit^ 
unless  you  give  up  the  negroes  in  your  lines." 

The  regiment  was  then  on  its  march  to  the  wharf. 

"  They  have  taken  all  the  negroes  from  the  ranks  of  the  other 
regiments,  and  they  intend  to  take  yours." 

The  Colonel  turned  to  his  men  and  said,  quietly,  "Fix 
bayonets." 

The  regiment  moved  on  through  the  streets,  and  reached  the 
Gault  House,  where  the  slaveholders  had  congregated.    A  half- 


1862.]  INVASION    OF  KENTUCKY.  183 

dozen  approached  the  regiment  rathei  cautiously,  but  one  bold- 
er than  the  rest  sprang  into  the  ranks  and  seized  a  negro  by 
the  collar. 

A  dozen  bayonets  came  down  around  him,  some  not  very 
genfly.  He  let  go  his  liold  and  sprang  back  again  quite  as 
quickly  as  he  entered  the  lines. 

There  was  a  shaking  of  fists  and  muttered  curses,  but  the  reg- 
iment passed  on  to  tlic  landing,  just  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 

General  Granger,  who  had  charge  of  the  transportation,  had 
issued  orders  that  no  negro  sliould  be  allowed  on  the  boats 
without  free  papers. 

General  Baird  saw  the  negroes  on  the  steamer,  and  approach- 
ing Colonel  Utley,  said,  — 

"  Why,  Colonel,  how  is  tliis  ?  Have  all  of  these  negroes 
free  papers  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  not  all,  but  those  who  have  n't,  have  declared  their 
intentions  !  "  said  the  Colonel. 

The  Twenty-Second  took  transportation  on  tlie  steamer  Com- 
morcial.  The  captain  of  the  boat  was  a  Kentuckian,  who  came 
to  Colonel  Utley  in  great  trc})idation,  saying  :  "  Colonel,  I  can't 
start  till  those  negroes  are  put  on  shore.  I  sliall  be  held  re- 
sponsible. My  boat  will  be  seized  and  libelled  under  the  laws 
of  the  State." 

"  I  can't  help  that,  sir ;  the  boat  is  under  the  control  and  in 
the  employ  of  the  government.  I  am  commander  on  board, 
and  you  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  steam  up  and  go  where  you 
are  directed.  Otherwise  I  shall  be  under  the  necessity  of  ar 
resting  you." 

The  captain  departed  and  began  his  preparations.  But  now 
came  the  sheriff  of  Jefferson  County  with  a  writ.  He  wanted 
the  bodies  of  George,  Abraham,  John,  and  Dick,  who  were  still 
with  the  Twenty-Second.  They  were  the  runaway  property  of 
a  fellow  named  Hogan,  who  a  few  days  before  had  figured  in 
a  convention  held  at  Frankfort,  in  which  he  intrcduced  a  series 
of  Secession  resolutions. 

"  I  have  a  writ  for  your  arrest,  but  I  am  willing  to  waive  all 
action  on  condition  of  your  giving  up  tlie  fugitives  which  you 
are  harboring  contrary  to  the  peace  and  dignity  of  the  State," 
•^aid  th«  sheriff. 


134  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [October, 

"  I  have  other  business  to  attend  to  just  now.  I  am  under 
orders  from  my  superiors  in  command  to  proceed  down  tho 
river  without  any  delay,  and  must  get  the  boat  under  way," 
said  the  Colonel,  bowing,  politely. 

"  But,  Colonel,  you  are  aware  of  the  consequences  of  de- 
liberately setting  at  defiance  the  laws  of  a  sovereign  State," 
said  the  sheriff. 

"Are  you  all  ready  there?"  said  the  Colonel,  not  to  the 
sheriff,  but  to  the  officer  of  the  day  who  had  charge  of  affairs. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Then  cast  off." 

The  game  of  bluff  had  been  played  between  the  Twenty- 
Second  Wisconsin  and  the  State  of  Kentucky,  and  Wisconsin 
had  won. 

The  sheriff  jumped  ashore.  There  were  hoarse  puffs  from 
the  steam-pipes,  the  great  wheels  turned  in  the  stream,  the 
Commercial  swung  from  her  moorings,  and  the  soldiers  of 
Wisconsin  floated  down  the  broad  Ohio  with  the  stars  and 
stripes  waving  above  them. 

By  their  devotion  to  principle,  by  the  firmness  of  their  com- 
mander, they  had  given  the  cause  of  Freedom  a  mighty  uplift 
in  the  old  State  of  Kentucky. 

I  recall  an  evening  in  the  Louisville  Hotel.  Officers  of  the 
army,  —  majors,  captains,  lieutenants,  —  were  there  from  camp, 
chatting  with  the  ladies.  It  was  a  pleasant  company, — an  hour 
of  comfort  and  pleasure.  The  evening  was  chilly,  and  a  coal- 
fire  in  the  grate  sent  out  its  genial  warmth.  The  cut  glass  of 
the  chandeliers  sparkled  with  ruby,  purple,  and  amethyst  in  the 
changing  light.  In  the  anterooms  there  were  chess-players 
absorbed  in  the  intellectual  game,  with  a  knot  of  silent  spec- 
tators. 

At  the  dinner-table  Mr.  Brown  was  my  servant.  His  com- 
plexion was  a  shade  darker  than  mine.  He  served  me  faith- 
fully, wearing  a  white  cotton  jacket  and  apron.  He  entered 
the  parlor  in  the  evening,  not  wearing  his  hotel  uniform,  but 
faultlessly  dressed  as  a  gentleman.  He  brought  not  a  lady, 
out  a  double-bass  viol.  He  was  followed  by  two  fellow-ser- 
vants, one  with  a  violin,  the  other  wit'i  a  banjo.  The  one 
with  the  violin  was  a  short,  tliick-set,  curly-headed  African, — 


1862.]  INVASION   OF  KENTUCKY.  130 

black  as  the  King  of  Dahomey.  The  other  was  whiter  than 
most  of  the  officers  in  the  room. 

They  were  the  hotel  table-waiters  and  also  a  quadrille  band. 
The  violinist  did  not  know  B  flat  from  F  sharp.  Musical  nota- 
tion was  Greek  to  him ;  but  he  had  rhythm,  a  quick,  tuneful 
ear,  and  an  appreciation  of  the  beautiful  in  music  rarely  found 
among  the  many  thousands  who  take  lessons  by  the  quarter. 
He  did  not  give  us  Old  Tar  River,  Uncle  Ned,  and  0  Susan- 
nah, but  themes  from  Labitsky  and  Donizetti,  —  melodies 
which  once  heard  are  long  remembered.  His  two  comrades 
accompanied  him  in  time  and  tune.  For  the  young  ladies 
and  officers  it  was  a  delightful  hour.  Mr.  Brown  was  the 
factotum,  calling  the  changes  with  as  much  steadiness  and  pre- 
cision, while  handling  the  double-bass,  as  Hall  or  Dodworth  at 
the  grand  ball  to  the  Prince  of  Wales.  So  we  were  served  by 
four  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  body  and  soul ! 

The  door-way  leading  into  the  hall  was  a  portrait-gallery  of 
dusky  faces,  —  Dinah,  Julia,  Sam,  and  James ;  old  aunt  Re- 
becca, with  a  yellow  turban  on  her  head ;  young  Sarah,  three 
feet  high,  bare-legged,  bare-armed,  in  a  torn,  greasy  calico 
dress,  —  her  only  garment ;  young  Toney,  who  had  so  much 
India-rubber  in  his  heels  that  he  capered  irrepressibly  through 
the  hall  and  executed  a  double-shuffle.  While  the  grand  stair- 
way, leading  to  the  halls  above  was  piled  with  dark,  eager 
faces,  reminding  one  of  the  crowded  auditory  looking  upon 
Belshazzar's  feast  in  the  great  picture  of  Allston,  —  fifteen, 
twenty,  thirty  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  bones,  blood,  and 
brains ! 

The  violinist  was  in  trouble.  The  screws  would  not  stick, 
and  in  spite  of  his  spitting  in  the  holes,  his  twisting  and  turn- 
ing, he  was  obliged  to  stop  in  the  middle  of  the  dance.  He 
made  strenuous  efforts  to  keep  his  instrument  in  tune.  A  man 
in  shoulder-straps,  leading  a  fair-haired,  graceful  maiden,  his 
partner  in  the  dance,  with  a  clenched  fist  and  an  oath  informed 
the  musician  that  if  he  did  n't  fix  that  quick  he  would  knock 
his  head  off!  It  was  a  little  glimpse  of  the  divine,  beneficent 
missionary  institution  ordained  of  God  for  the  elevation  of  the 
sons  of  Ham ! 

It  was  not  difficult  to  make  a  transition  in  thought  to  a  South 


18(3  I  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [October, 

Caroliua  rice-swamp  or  Louisiana  sugar-plantation  or  Arkansas 
cotton-field,  where  a  master's  passion  was  law,  and  where 
knocking  ofT  men's  heads  was  not  so  rare  a  performance. 

Among  the  dusky  crowd  gazing  in  upon  the  waltzers  was  a 
girl,  sixteen  or  seventeen  years  old,  —  a  brunette,  with  cherry 
lips,  sparkling  black  eyes,  and  cheeks  as  fresh  and  fair  as  apri- 
cots. She  was  a  picture  of  health.  She  gazed  with  evident 
delight,  and  yet  there  was  always  upon  her  countenance  a 
shade  of  sadness.  In  form  and  feature  she  was  almost  wholly 
Anglo-Saxon,  and  more  than  Anglo-Saxon  in  beauty. 

I  met  her  in  the  hall  during  the  day  having  charge  of  a 
young  child,  and  had  marked  her  beauty,  ease,  grace,  and  in 
telligence,  and  supposed  that  she  was  a  boarder  at  the  hotel,  — 
the  daughter  or  young  wife  of  some  officer,  till  seeing  her  the 
central  figure  of  the  dusky  group.  Then  the  thought  came 
flashing,  "  She  is  a  slave  !  " 

She  could  have  joined  in  the  cotillon  with  as  much  grace  as 
any  of  the  fair  dancers. 

Her  father,  I  learned,  was  a  high-born  Kentuckian,  and  her 
grandfather  was  from  one  of  the  first  families  of  Virginia  ;  but 
her  great-great-great-grandmother  was  born  in  Africa,  and  that 
was  the  reason  why  she  stood  a  silent  spectator  in  the  hall,  in- 
stead of  whirling  with  the  gay  colonel  in  the  dance. 


1862.]  FROM   HARPER'S   FERRY   TO   FREDERICKSBURG.  137 


CHAPTER    X. 

FROM  HARPER'S   FERRY   TO   FREDERICKSBURG, 

Keturning  to  Virginia  I  accompanied  the  army  of  the  Po- 
tomac in  the  march  from  Berlin  and  Harper's  Ferry  to  the 
Rappahannock.  The  roads  were  excellent,  the  days  mild, 
the  air  clear.  Beautiful  beyond  description  the  landscape, 
viewed  from  the  passes  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  Westward  in  tne 
valley  of  the  Shenandoah  was  Longstreet's  corps,  traced  by 
rising  clouds  of  dust  and  the  smoke  of  innumerable  camp- 
fires.  Eastward  was  the  great  army  of  the  Union,  winding 
along  the  numerous  roads,  towards  the  south.  Many  of  the 
soldiers  had  their  pets,  —  one  had  two  yellow  dogs  in  leading- 
Btrings.  A  gray-bearded  old  soldier  carried  a  young  puppy 
with  its  eyes  not  yet  open,  in  his  arms  as  tenderly  as  if  it  were 
a  child.  A  Connecticut  boy  had  a  little  kitten  on  his  shoul- 
ders, which  kept  its  place  contentedly.  Occasionally  the  lad 
caressed  it,  while  kitty  laid  its  face  against  that  of  the  beard- 
less boy  and  purred  with  pleasure. 

The  march  was  tediously  slow.  General  McClellan  was 
averse  to  making  it  at  all.  He  had  delayed  from  day  to  day, 
and  from  week  to  week,  till  ordered  by  the  President  to  ad- 
vance.    He  had  no  well-considered  plan  of  operations. 

The  President's  patience  was  exhausted,  and  at  Warrenton 
lie  was  deprived  of  the  command  of  the  army. 

General  Burnside,  his  successor,  took  the  command  reluc- 
tantly ;  but  he  was  quick  in  deciding  upon  a  plan.  General 
McClellan' s  line  of  march  was  towards  Gordonsville.  Burn- 
side  decided  to  move  upon  Fredericksburg.  The  movement 
was  made  with  great  rapidity,  and  Burnside  only  failed  of 
seizing  the  place  because  the  pontoons  were  not  there  at  the 
time  appointed.  Lee  came  and  occupied  the  town,  threw  up 
his  earthworks,  and  planted  his  batteries.  Burnside  planned 
to  have  Franklin  cross  the  Rappahannock  below  Port  Royal, 


138  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [NoV. 

Hooker  above  it,  while  Sumner  was  to  cross  opposite  the  town ; 
but  a  heavy  storm  frustrated  the  movement. 

It  was  generally  supposed  that  the  army  would  go  into  winter 
quarters,  and  many  of  the  correspondents  accordingly  returned 
to  their  homes.  My  friend  and  companion  in  the  West,  Mr. 
Eichardson,  left  the  army  of  the  Potomac  in  disgust,  and  pro- 
ceeded West  again  in  search  of  adventure.  His  wishes  were 
more  than  gratified  soon  after  at  Vicksburg,  where  he  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  Rebels,  who  boarded  him  awhile  at  the  Libby 
in  Richmond,  and  afterward  at  the  Salisbury  prison  in  North 
Carolina.  He  ungraciously  turned  his  back  upon  his  Rebel 
friends  one  night,  took  all  his  baggage,  and  left  without  paying 
his  bills. 

He  gained  the  Union  lines  in  Tennessee  after  months  of 
imprisonment,  with  his  desires  for  adventure  in  that  direction 
fully  satisfied. 

Nearly  one  half  of  the  correspondents  with  the  various 
armies  either  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Rebels  or  were  wound- 
ed. Several  died  of  diseases  contracted  in  the  malarious 
swamps.  As  a  class  they  were  daring,  courageous,  venture- 
some, always  on  the  alert,  making  hard  rides,  day  and  night, 
on  the  battle-field  often  where  the  fire  was  hottest,  —  writing 
their  accounts  seated  on  a  stump,  spreading  their  blankets 
where  night  overtook  them,  or  frequently  making  all-night 
rides  after  a  day  of  excitement,  hardship,  and  exposure,  that 
the  public  might  have  early  information  of  what  had  trans- 
pired. Their  statements  were  often  contradictory.  Those  first 
received  by  the  public  were  not  unfrequently  full  of  errors, 
and  sometimes  were  wholly  false,  for  the  reason  that  many 
papers  had  a  correspondent  a  few  miles  in  rear  of  the  army,  at 
the  base  of  supplies,  who  caught  up  every  wild  rumor  and 
sent  it  flying  over  the  land. 

Gold  speculators  improved  every  occasion  to  gull  the  public 
by  false  news.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  men  in  high 
ofiicial  positions  were  in  collusion  with  operators  in  bullion,  to 
the  mutual  advantage  of  all  concerned. 

The  press  of  the  country,  reflecting  the  feelings  of  the  peo- 
ple, pronounced  the  campaign  at  an  end.  The  friends  of  Gen- 
eral McClellan  were  clamorous  for  his  return.     Congress  and 


1862.]  FROM  HARPER'S  FERRY  TO  FREDERICKSBURG.  139 

political  advisers  in  Washington  demanded  that  Burnside 
should  move  somewhere.  They  knew  nothing  of  the  obsta 
cles  in  his  path. 

In  a  letter  written  on  the  9th  of  December,  1862,  the  follow 
ing  view  of  the  situation  was  presented  by  the  correspondent 
of  the  Boston  Journal :  — 

"  It  is  a  clear,  cold  morning.  The  sky  is  without  a  cloud.  Stand- 
ing near  General  Sumner's  quarters,  I  have  a  wide  sweep  of  vision. 
The  quarters  of  the  veteran  general  commanding  the  right  grand  di- 
vision are  in  a  spacious  mansion,  newly  constructed,  the  property  of  a 
wealthy  planter,  whose  eptate  is  somewhat  shorn  of  its  beauty  by  the 
ravages  of  war.  The  fences  are  all  gone,  the  forest?  are  fast  disap- 
pearing, the  fine  range  of  cedars  which  lined  the  Belleplain  road  are  no 
longer  to  be  seen.  All  around  are  the  white  tents  of  the  command, 
the  innumerable  camp-fires  sending  up  blue  columns  of  smoke.  The 
air  is  calm.  You  hear  the  rumbling  of  distant  baggage-trains,  the 
clatter  of  hundreds  of  axes  felling  the  forests  for  fuel,  —  the  bugle-call 
of  the  cavalrymen,  and  the  rat-a-plan  of  the  drummers,  and  mingling 
with  all,  the  steady,  constant  flow  of  the  falling  waters  of  the  winding 
stream. 

"  Looking  far  off  to  the  southeast,  across  the  intervale  of  the  river, 
you  see  a  white  cloud  of  steam  moving  beneath  the  fringe  of  a  forest. 
It  is  a  locomotive  from  Richmond,  dragging  its  train  of  cars  with  sup- 
plies for  the  Rebel  camps.  The  forests  and  hills  beyond  are  alive 
with  men.  Resting  my  glass  against  the  side  of  the  building  to  keep 
it  steady,  I  can  count  the  men  grouped  around  the  camp-fires,  turning 
at  times  to  keep  themselves  warm.  Others  are  bringing  in  wood.  An 
oflScer  rides  along.  A  train  of  wagons  is  winding  down  the  hill  to- 
ward the  town.  All  along  the  range  of  hills  are  earthworks  with  sand- 
bag embrasures,  and  artillery  behind,  —  not  quaker  guns,  I  think,  but 
field  artillery,  so  ranged  that  a  movement  directly  across  the  river 
would  be  marching  into  the  jaws  of  death,  —  as  hazardous  and  destruc- 
tive as  the  charge  of  the  Light  Brigade  at  Balaklava. 

"  I  know  that  there  is  a  clamor  for  an  onward  movement,  a  desire 
and  expectation  for  an  advance ;  but  I  think  there  are  few  men  in  the 
country  who,  after  taking  a  look  at  the  Rebel  positions,  would  hke  to 
lead  in  a  movement  across  the  stream. 

"  Looking  into  the  town  of  Fredericksburg  we  see  but  few  smokes 
ascending  from  the  chimneys,  but  few  people  in  the  streets.  It  is  al- 
most wholly  deserted.  The  women  and  children  have  gone  to  Rich- 
mond, or  else  are  shivering  in  camp.     Close  upon  the  river-bank  on 


140  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [DeC. 

either  side  face  the  pickets,  within  easy  talking  distance  of  each  other. 
There  has  been  no  shooting  of  late.  There  is  constant  badinage.  The 
Rebel  picket  asks  the  Yankee  when  he  is  going  to  Richmond.  The 
Yankee  asks  the  Rebel  if  he  don't  want  a  pair  of  boots.  I  am  sorry 
to  say  that  such  conversation  is  mixed  with  profane  words.  Each 
party  seems  to  think  that  hard  words  hit  hard." 

"  Last  night  the  southern  sky  was  red  with  the  blaze  of  Rebel 
camp-fires.  Far  off  to  the  southeast  I  see  a  hazy  cloud,  and  columns 
of  smoke,  indicating  the  presence  of  a  large  army.  I  do  not  doubt 
that  if  we  attempt  to  cross  we  shall  meet  with  terrible  opposition  from 
a  force  nearly  if  not  quite  as  large  as  our  own. 

"  If  the  President  or  General  Halleck  insist  upon  Bumside's  mak- 
king  the  movement,  it  will  be  made  with  whatever  power,  energy,  de- 
termination, and  bravery  the  army  can  exhibit.  I  am  as  anxious  as 
any  one  can  be  to  see  a  great  blow  given  to  the  Rebellion ;  but  I  am 
not  at  all  anxious  to  see  the  attempt  made  against  such  disadvantages 
<*s  are  apparent  to  the  most  casual  observer  from  this  position."  * 


It  was  an  unreasonable  demand  which  the  public  made  upon 
Burnside.  He  had  been  just  one  month  in  command  of  the 
army.  His  first  plan  had  failed  through  the  remissness  of 
others;  his  second  effort  to  move  had  been  made  abortive 
by  the  storm.  He  could  not  attempt  again  the  movement  with 
any  hope  of  success,  for  Lee  had  taken  precautions  against  an 
attack  upon  his  flank.  Neither  the  public,  the  politician,  nor 
the  War  Department  would  consent  to  his  going  into  winter 
quarters.  He  had  no  alternative  other  than  to  devise  a  new 
plan.  These  considerations  are  to  be  kept  in  remembrance  in 
reviewing  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg. 

General  Burnside  obtained  correct  information  of  the  po- 
sition held  by  General  Lee.  Jackson's  corps  was  separated 
from  Longstreet's  by  a  ravine,  but  General  Lee  had  constructed 
a  road  through  the  woods  and  across  a  ravine,  by  which  troops 
could  be  readily  marched  to  the  right  or  left,  as  they  might  be 
needed.  He  was  satisfied  that  Lee  did  not  expect  him  to  cross 
at  the  town,  but  lower  down  the  river.  He  decided,  therefore, 
to  cross  the  Rappahannock,  and  make  a  desperate  push  to  ob- 
tain possession  of  the  road,  which  would  divide  Lee's  army. 

•  Letter  to  Boston  Journal,  December  9,  1862. 


FREDERICKSBURG 


1862.]  FROM  HARPER'S  FERRY  TO  FREDERICKSBURG.  141 

The  plan  was  accepted  by  a  council  of  officers  on  tho  10th 
of  December.  Preparations  were  made  that  night  for  tho 
passage  of  the  river  in  three  places.  The  artillery  was  drawn 
in  position  along  the  bank,  —  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
pieces,  some  of  which  were  thirty-pounders.  Orders  were 
issued  to  the  troops  to  be  ready  at  a  moment's  warning.  Gen- 
eral Woodbury,  with  a  brigade  of  engineers,  was  ordered  down 
to  the  river. 

Soon  after  dark  on  the  night  of  the  10th,  the  brigade,  with 
its  long  train  of  boats  on  wheels,  came  down  from  the  Stafford 
hills.  Boats  sufficient  for  the  construction  of  two  bridges 
halted  near  the  railroad ;  enough  for  two  more  went  a  third  of 
a  mile  down  stream,  opposite  the  lower  end  of  the  town,  while 
tho  remainder  went  a  mile  and  a  half  farther  down,  almost  to 
Mr.  Bernard's  house.  Sumner  and  Ilooker  were  to  uso  those 
opposite  the  town,  and  Franklin  those  at  Bernard's.  A  brigade 
of  troops  was  ordered  to  protect  the  engineers  in  their  work. 
The  gunners  stood  beside  their  guns,  ready  to  open  fire  if  the 
Rebels  opposed  them.  The  engineers  took  the  boats  from  the 
wagons,  pushed  them  out  over  the  thin  ice,  anchored  them 
in  the  stream,  and  commenced  laying  the  timbers  and  planks. 
A  dense  fog  hung  over  the  river,  which  concealed  their  opera- 
tions, and  before  daybreak  the  bridges  were  nearly  completed. 
The  Seventeentli  and  Eighteenth  Mississippi  regiments  of 
Barksdale's  brigade,  and  the  Eighth  Florida,  of  Perry's  brig- 
ade, were  on  picket  along  the  river,  while  the  Thirteenth  and 
Twenty-First  Mississippi  and  Third  Georgia  were  in  reserve  in 
the  town. 

Lee  was  wary.  He  expected  an  advance  of  tho  Union 
army.  His  scouts  were  alert.  All  the  commanders  were  or- 
dered to  be  vigilant.  So  keeping  a  sharp  look-out,  the  sentinels 
walked  the  bank  through  the  long  winter  night,  peering  into 
the  darkness,  and  listening  to  catch  the  meanmg  of  the  con- 
CuBcd  hum  which  floated  to  them  across  the  stream. 


142  THE  BOYS  OF  'Gl.  [Dec, 


CHAPTER    XI. 

BATTLE    OF    FREDERICKSBURG. 

At  five  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  11th  of  Decembei 
two  signal-guns  were  fired  on  the  heights  of  Fredericksburg. 
Deep  and  heavy  their  roar,  rolling  along  the  valley,  echoing 
from  hill  to  hill,  and  rousing  the  sleepers  of  both  armies.  Wo 
who  listened  upon  the  Falmouth  hills  knew  that  the  crossing 
was  not  a  surprise,  but  that  the  Rebels  were  ready  for  battle. 
And  now  as  the  day  dawned  there  came  a  rattling  of  mus- 
ictry  along  the  river.  The  Rebel  pickets  opened  the  fire.  The 
gunners  at  the  batteries  were  quick  to  respond,  and  sent  grape 
and  canister  across  tlie  stream.  The  Rebel  pickets  at  the  lower 
bridges  soon  retired,  and  the  engineers  completed  their  work. 
But  in  the  town  the  Mississippians  took  shelter  in  the  build- 
ings, and  poured  a  deadly  fire  upon  the  bridge-builders.  Al- 
most every  soldier  who  attempted  to  carry  out  a  plank  fell. 
For  a  while  the  attempt  was  relinquished. 

'*  The  bridge  must  be  completed,"  said  General  Burnside. 

Once  more  the  brave  engineers  attempted  it.  The  fog  still 
hung  over  the  river.  Those  who  stood  on  the  northern  bank 
could  only  see  the  flashes  of  the  rifles  on  the  other  shore.  The 
gunners  were  obliged  to  fire  at  random,  but  so  energetic  their 
fire  the  engineers  were  able  to  carry  the  bridge  within  eighty 
or  ninety  feet  of  the  shore,  and  then  so  deadly  in  turn  was 
the  fire  of  the  Rebels  that  it  was  murder  to  send  men  out 
witli  a  plank. 

General  Burnside  stood  on  the  piazza  of  the  PhiUips  House, 
a  mile  from  the  pontoons.  General  Sumner  and  General 
Hooker  were  there.  Aids  and  couriers  came  and  went  witli 
messages  and  orders. 

"  My  bridge  is  completed,  and  I  am  ready  to  cross,"  was 
Franklin's  message  at  half  past  nine. 

"  You  must  wait  till  the  upper  bridge  is  completed,"  was  tlif* 
'•oply  to  Franklin. 


1862.]  BATTLE  OF  FREDERICKSBURG.  143 

Two  hours  passed.  A  half-dozen  attempts  were  made  to 
complete  the  upper  bridge  without  success.  Brave  men  not 
belonging  to  the  engineers  came  down  to. the  bank,  surveyed 
the  scene,  and  then  volunteering  their  services,  seized  planks 
and  boards,  ran  out  upon  the  bridge,  but  only  to  fall  before 
the  sharpshooters  concealed  in  the  cellars  of  the  houses  not 
ten  rods  distant.  Captain  Brainard  of  the  Fiftieth  New  York, 
with  eleven  men,  volunteered  to  finish  the  nearly  completed 
work.  They  went  out  upon  the  run.  Five  fell  at  one  volley, 
and  the  rest  returned.  Captain  Perkins  of  the  same  regiment 
led  another  party.  He  fell  with  a  ghastly  wound  in  his  neck. 
Half  of  his  men  are  killed  or  wounded.  These  were  sacri- 
fices of  life  with  nothing  gamed.  It  was  soul-inspiring  to  wit- 
ness such  heroic  devotion,  but  heart-sickening  to  stand  on  the 
bank  and  see  them  slaughtered,  —  their  blood  turning  to 
crimson   the  turbid  waters  of  the  Rappahannock. 

General  Burnside  had  no  desire  to  injure  the  town,  but 
under  the  usages  of  war  he  had  a  right  to  bombard  it ;  for  tho 
Rebels  had  concealed  themselves  in  the  houses,  making  use  of 
them  to  slaughter  his  men. 

"  Bring  all  your  guns  to  bear  upon  tlie  city  and  batter  it 
down,"  was  the  order  issued  to  General  Hunt,  chief  of  artillery. 
Colonel  Hays  had  eight  batteries  on  the  right ;  Colonel  Tomp- 
kins had  eleven  batteries  on  the  right  centre,  opposite  the  upper 
pontoons,  —  some  of  them  in  tho  yard  of  Mr.  Lacey's  house, 
near  the  river ;  Colonel  Tyler  had  seven  batteries  a  little  farther 
down  on  the  left  centre ;  while  Captain  De  Russey  had  seven 
batteries  opposite  the  lower  pontoons.  There  were  in  all  thirty- 
five  batteries,  with  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine 
guns,  all  bearing  upon  the  town.  The  artillerymen  received  the 
orders  to  prepare  for  action  with  a  hurrah.  They  had  chafed 
all  the  morning,  and  longed  for  an  opportunity  to  avenge  the 
death  of  their  gallant  comrades. 

The  hour  had  come.  They  sprang  to  their  pieces.  The  fire 
ran  from  the  right  to  the  left,  —  from  the  heavy  twenty-four- 
pounders  on  the  heights  of  Falmouth  to  the  smaller  pieces  on 
the  hills  wliere  Washington  passed  his  boyhood.  Tho  air  became 
thick  with  the  murky  clouds.  The  earth  shook  beneath  tlie 
terrific  explosions  of  the  shells,  which  went  howling  over  the 


144  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec. 

river,  crashing  into  the  houses,  battering  down  walls,  splinter- 
ing doors,  ripping  up  floors.  Sixty  solid  shot  and  shells  a 
minute  were  thrown,  and  the  bombardment  was  kept  up  till 
nine  thousand  were  fired.  No  hot  shot  were  used,  but  the 
explosions  set  fire  to  a  block  of  buildings,  which  added  terri 
ble  grandeur  to  the  scene. 

The  Rebel  army  stood  upon  the  heights  beyond  the  town 
and  watched  the  operations.  Lee's  Rebel  artillery  was  silent, 
and  the  Mississippians  concealed  in  the  houses  were  alone  par- 
ticipants in  the  contest. 

The  fog  lifted  at  last  and  revealed  the  town.  The  streets 
were  deserted,  but  the  houses,  the  church-steeples,  the  stores 
were  riddled  with  shot ;  yet  no  impression  had  been  made  on 
Vhe  Mississippians. 

Burnside's  artillerymen  could  not  depress  their  guns  suffi- 
ciently to  shell  them  out.  A  working  party  went  out  upon  the 
bridge,  but  one  after  another  was  killed  or  wounded. 

The  time  had  come  for  a  bold  movement.  It  was  plain  that 
the  Mississippians  must  be  driven  out  before  the  bridge  could 
be  completed,  and  that  a  party  must  go  over  in  boats,  charge 
up  the  hill,  and  rout  them  from  their  hiding-places.  Who 
would  go  ?  Who  attempt  the  hazardous  enterprise  ?  There 
were  brave  men  standing  on  the  bank  by  the  Laccy  House,  who 
had  watched  the  proceedings  during  the  long  hours.  They 
were  accustomed  to  hard  fighting :  Hall's  brigade,  composed  of 
the  Seventh  Michigan,  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  Massachusetts, 
and  Forty-Second  New  York.  They  had  fought  at  Fair  Oaks, 
Savage  Station,  Glendale,  Malvern,  and  Antietam.  The  Twen- 
tieth had  been  in  all  these  battles,  and  also  at  Ball's  Bluff.. 

"  We  will  go  over  and  clean  out  the  Rebels,"  was  the  cry  of 
this  brigade. 

"You  shall  have  the  privilege  of  doing  so,"  said  General 
Burnside. 

There  were  not  boats  enough  for  all,  —  not  enough  for  one 
regiment  even.  A  portion  of  the  Seventh  Michigan  was  select- 
ed to  go  first,  while  the  other  regiments  stood  as  a  supporting 
force. 

The  men  run  down  the  winding  path  to  the  water's  edge, 
jump  into  the  boats,  and  push  out  into  the  stream.     It  is  a 


1862.]  BATTLE   OF   FREDERICKSBURG.  146 

momont  of  intense  anxiety.  No  one  knows  how  large  the  force 
opposing  them.  The  Rebel  sharpshooters  are  watching  the 
movement  from  their  hiding-places.  They  have  a  fair  view  and 
can  pick  their  men.  The  men  in  the  boats  know  it,  yet  they 
move  steadily  onward,  steering  straight  across  the  stream,  with- 
out a  thought  of  turning  back,  though  their  comrades  are  fall- 
ing, —  some  headlong  into  the  river,  others  dropping  into  the 
boats.  The  oarsmen  pull  with  rapid  strokes.  When  one  falls 
another  takes  his  place.  Two  thirds  the  distance  over,  —  the 
boats  ground  in  shoal  water.  The  soldiers  wait  for  no  word  of 
command,  but  with  a  common  impulse,  with  an  ardor  which 
stops  not  to  count  the  cost,  they  leap  into  the  water,  wade  to 
the  shore,  and  charge  up  the  bank.  Some  fall  to  rise  no  more, 
but  their  surviving  comrades  rush  up  the  slippery  slope.  A 
loud  hurrah  rings  out  from  the  soldiers  who  watch  them  from 
the  Falmouth  shore.  Up,  up  they  go,  facing  death,  firing  not, 
intent  only  to  get  at  the  foe  and  win  victory  with  the  bayonet ! 
They  smash  the  windows,  batter  down  doors,  driving  or  cap- 
turing the  foe. 

Loud  and  hearty  the  cheers  of  the  regiments  upon  the  other 
shore.  The  men  of  the  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  Massachu- 
setts would  give  anything  to  be  there.  All  the  while  the  can- 
non are  roaring,  hurling  solid  shot  and  shell  into  the  doomed 
city. 

"  They  leaped  in  the  rocking  shallops. 

Ten  offered  where  one  could  go; 
And  the  breeze  was  alive  with  laughtei 

Till  the  boatmen  began  to  row. 

"  Then  the  shore,  where  the  Rebels  harbored. 
Was  fringed  with  a  gush  of  flame, 
And  buzzing,  like  bees,  o'er  the  water 
The  swarms  of  their  bullets  came. 

"  Not  a  whisper !    Each  man  was  conscious 
He  stood  in  the  sight  of  death ; 
So  he  bowed  to  the  awful  presence, 
And  treasured  his  living  breath. 

**  And  many  a  brave,  stout  fellow. 

Who  sprang  in  the  boats  with  mirth, 
Ere  they  made  that  fatal  crossing, 
Was  a  load  of  lifeless  earth. 
10 


146 


THE   BOYS   OF   '61. 


[Dec 


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1862.1  BATTLE  OF  FEEDi2."RICKSBURG.  147 

"  But  yet  the  boats  moved  onward ; 
Through  fire  and  lead  they  drove, 
With  tlie  dark,  still  mass  within  them, 
And  the  floating  stars  above. 

"  Cheer  after  cheer  we  sent  them, 
As  only  armies  can,  — 
Cheers  for  old  Massachusetts, 
Cheers  for  young  INIichigan ! 

*'  They  formed  in  line  of  battle ; 
Not  a  man  was  out  of  place. 
Then  with  levelled  steel  they  hurled  them 
Straight  in  the  Rebels'  face. 

"  *  O  help  me,  help  me,  comrade  ! 
For  tears  my  eyelids  drown, 
As  I  se'd  their  starry  banners 

Stream  up  the  smoking  town.' "  * 

When  the  bridge-builders  saw  the  soldiers  charge  up  the  hill, 
they  too  caught  the  enthusiasm  of  the  moment,  and  finished 
their  work.  The  other  regiments  of  the  brigade,  before  the  last 
planks  were  laid,  ruihed  down  the  bank,  ran  out  upon  the 
bridge,  dashed  up  the  bank,  joined  their  comrades,  and  drove 
the  Rebels  from  the  streets  nearest  the  river. 

History  furnishes  but  few  records  of  more  daring  exploits 
than  this  action  of  the  Seventh  Michigan.  Their  work  was 
thorough  and  complete.  In  fifteen  minutes  they  cleared  the 
houses  in  front  of  them,  and  took  more  prisoners  than  their 
own  party  numbered  . 

It  was  now  half  past  four  in  the  afternoon,  one  of  the  shortest 
days  of  winter.  The  suu  was  going  down.  The  Rebels  had  de- 
layed the  crossing  through  the  entire  day.  General  Burnsido 
was  severely  censured  by  some  Northern  as  well  as  Southern 
papers  for  bombarding  the  town  ;  he  had  no  desire  to  do  injury 
to  the  citizens  in  person  or  property,  but  the  stubborn  resist- 
ance of  the  Rebels  made  it  necessary  thus  to  use  his  artillery. 
When  General  Sumner  arrived  at  Falmouth,  three  weeks  before, 
he  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  place  ;  but  the  citizens  and 
the  women  begged  the  officer  in  command  not  to  give  it  up. 

"  We  would  rather  have  the  town  burned  than  given  up  to 
the  Yankees,'*  f  said  they. 

*  Boker's  "  Crossing  at  Frcdericksbu  -g." 

♦  Richmond  Examiner,  December  15,  '862. 


14»  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [Dec. 

But  now  the  Yankees  were  there,  marching  through  the 
streets.  The  houses  were  battered,  torn,  and  rent.  Some  were 
in  flames,  and  a  battle  was  raging  through  the  town. 

As  soon  as  the  bridge  was  completed,  the  other  brigades  of 
General  Howard's  division  moved  across  the  river.  The  Rebel 
batteries,  which  till  now  had  kept  silence,  opened  furiously  with 
solid  shot  and  shell,  but  the  troops  moved  steadily  over,  and 
took  shelter  along  the  river  bank.  The  Rebels  were  falling 
back  from  street  to  street,  and  the  men  from  Michigan  and 
Massachusetts  were  pressing  on. 

I  stood  upon  the  bank  of  the  river  and  watched  the  scene  in 
the  deepening  twilight.  Far  up  the  streets  there  were  bright 
flashes  from  the  muskets  of  the  Rebels,  who  fired  from  cellars, 
chamber  windows,  and  from  sheltered  places.  Nearer  were 
dark  masses  of  men  in  blue,  who  gave  quick  volleys  as  they 
moved  steadily  on,  demolishing  doors,  crushing  in  whidows, 
and  searching  every  hiding-place.  Cannon  were  flaming  on  all 
the  hills,  and  the  whole  country  was  aglow  with  the  camp 
fires  of  the  two  great  armies.  Tiie  Stafford  hills  were  alive 
with  men,  —  regiments,  brigades,  and  divisions  moving  in  col- 
umn from  their  encampments  to  cross  the  river.  The  sky  was 
without  a  cloud.  The  town  was  lighted  by  lurid  flames.  The 
air  was  full  of  hissings, —  the  sharp  cutting  sounds  of  the  leaden 
rain.  The  great  twenty-pounder  guns  on  the  heights  of  Fal- 
mouth were  roaring  the  while.  There  were  shouts,  hurrahs, 
yells,  and  groans  from  the  streets.  So  the  fight  went  on  ti^'i 
the  Rebels  were  driven  wholly  from  the  town  to  their  intrench- 
ments  beyond. 

The  Seventeenth  Mississippi  was  the  most  actively  engaged 
of  the  Rebel  regiments.  Its  commander,  Lieutenant>Colonel 
Fizer,  in  his  report,  says  :  — 

"  The  Yankees  made  nine  desperate  attempts  to  finish  their  bridges, 
but  were  repulsed  at  every  attempt.  They  used  their  artillery  inces- 
santly, with  a  heavy  detachment  of  sharpshooters,  for  twelve  hours,  we 
holding  our  position  firmly  the  whole  time,  until  about  half  past  four,  P. 
M.,  when  they  increased  their  artillery  and  infantry,  and  their  batteries 
becoming  so  numerous  and  concentrated,  we  could  not  use  our  rifles. 
Being  deprived  of  all  protection,  we  were  compelled  to  fall  back  to  Car- 
oline Street,  and  from  there  were  ordered  from  town.      The  casualties 


1862.]  BATTLE  OP  PHEDEEICK8BTIE(?.  149 

of  the  regiment  during  the  engagement  were  one  hundred  and  sixteen 
wounded,  killed,  and  missing."  * 

When  the  soldiers  of  the  Seventh  Michigan  leaped  into  the 
boats,  a  drummer-boy  joined  them,  —  Robert  Henry  Hender- 
shot.  He  was  only  twelve  years  old,  but  his  dark  eyes  flashed 
brightly  under  the  excitement  of  the  moment.  His  drum  was 
upon  his  neck. 

"  Get  out,  you  can't  go,"  said  an  officer. 

"  I  want  to  go,"  said  Robert. 

"  No,  you  will  get  shot.     Out  with  you." 

Robert  jumped  into  the  water,  but  instead  of  going  ashore, 
remained  to  push  off  the  boat ;  and  then,  instead  of  letting  go 
his  hold,  clung  to  the  gunwale,  and  was  taken  across. 

As  the  boat  grounded  upon  the  other  shore,  a  piece  of  shell 
tore  through  his  drum.  He  threw  it  away,  seized  the  gun  of  a 
fallen  soldier,  rushed  up  the  hill,  and  came  upon  a  Rebel  sol- 
dier, slightly  wounded.  "  Surrender  !  "  said  Robert,  pointing 
his  gun  at  him.  The  Rebel  gave  up  his  gun,  and  Robert 
marched  him  to  the  rear.  When  he  returned  to  the  other  «ide 
of  the  river,  General  Burnside  saw  him,  and  said,  — 

"  Boy,  I  glory  in  your  spunk  !  If  you  keep  on  in  this  way  a 
few  more  years,  you  will  be  in  my  place." 

His  regiment,  after  the  battle,  was  sent  West,  and  Robert 
was  in  the  battles  of  Lebanon,  Murfrecsboro,  Chattanooga,  and 
McMinniville,  where  he  fought  gallantly. 

As  the  Rebels  had  used  the  houses  for  a  defence,  the  soldiers, 
now  that  they  were  in  possession  of  the  town,  appropriated  to 
their  own  use  whatever  suited  their  fancy.  Their  great  desire 
was  to  obtain  tobacco,  and  the  tobacco  shops  were  first  broken 
open.  A  large  quantity  had  been  thrown  into  the  river  by  the 
Rebel  authorities  to  prevent  its  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
Yankees  ;  but  the  soldiers  soon  fished  it  up,  dried  it  by  their 
bivouac  fires,  and  through  the  long  night,  while  keeping  watch, 
enjoyed  their  pipes  at  the  expense  of  the  enemy.  Soldiers  who 
did  not  care  for  tobacco  helped  themselves  to  flour,  meat,  po- 
tatoes, sugar,  and  molasses.     Tliey  had  a  merry  night  cooking 

•  Lieutenant-Colonel  Fizer's  Report. 


li>U  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Deu 

bacon  and  eggs,  frying  pork,  making  hot  cakes  in  the  kitchens. 
The  houses  were  ransacked  ;  beds,  blankets,  carpets,  sofas, 
rocking-chairs,  settees,  and  lounges  were  carried  into  the 
streets.  Some  dressed  themselves  in  old-fashioned  and  anti- 
quated clothes  which  they  found  in  the  chambers. 

It  was  a  carnival  night.  One  fellow  appropriated  a  heavy 
volume  of  Congressional  documents,  which  he  carried  about 
several  days.  Another  found  a  stuffed  monkey  in  one  of  the 
houses,  which  he  shouldered  and  bore  away.  One  soldier  had 
a  dozen  custard-cups  on  a  string  around  his  neck.  Another, 
finding  a  nice  beaver  hat,  threw  aside  his  old  cap  and  took  his 
place  again  in  the  ranks,  the  sport  of  all  his  comrades,  for  being 
so  nice  a  gentleman.  It  was  not,  however,  an  indiscriminate  pil- 
lage of  the  whole  town.  A  great  many  dwellings  were  not  en- 
tered at  all,  and  the  owners,  after  the  evacuation  of  the  city, 
found  their  premises  but  little  injured.  In  the  houses  nearest 
the  river  the  soldiers  felt  that  they  were  entitled  to  whatever 
they  could  lay  their  hands  on.  But  those  who  had  taken  mat- 
tresses and  beddmg  were  obliged  to  give  them  up.  The  surgeons 
in  charge  of  the  hospitals  seized  the  articles  for  the  benefit  of 
the  wounded. 

"  Rev.  Arthur  B.  Fuller  is  killed,"  said  an  acquaintance,  as  I 
stood  upon  the  bank  of  the  river.  "  His  body  is  lying  in  the 
street." 

He  had  been  chaplain  of  the  Massachusetts  Sixteenth  through 
all  the  Peninsula  campaign,  working  hard  day  and  night  in  the 
hospital,  till  liis  health  had  given  out,  and  he  had  been  honor- 
ably discharged.  He  had  preached  his  last  sermon  on  the 
Sunday  before ;  but  although  no  longer  in  the  service,  know- 
ing that  there  was  to  be  a  great  battle,  so  intense  was  his  pa- 
triotism that  he  could  not  go  away,  but  remained  to  do  what 
he  could.  He  took  a  musket,  became  a  volunteer,  and  went 
over  with  the  regiments. 

"  I  must  do  something  for  my  country.  What  shall  I  do  ?  " 
he  asked  of  Captain  Dunn  in  the  streets  of  Fredericksburg  on 
that  fatal  evening. 

"  Now  is  a  good  time  for  you,  —  fall  in  on  the  left,"  said  the 
captain,  who  saw  that  he  was  cool  and  collected,  although  the 
bullets  were  falling  thick  and  fast  around  them.     He  stood  in 


186!?.]  BATTLE   OF  FREDERICKSBUEG.  151 

front  of  a  grocery  store,  loaded  his  musket  and  fired,  and  then 
coolly  loaded  again.  He  was  taking  aim  once  more  when  he 
was  shot  by  a  sharpshooter.  The  Rebels  advanced,  and  Cap- 
tain Dunn  was  obliged  to  fall  back.  He  lay  where  he  fell  till 
the  enemy  were  driven  from  the  town,  when  his  body  was  re- 
covered. The  Rebels  had  picked  his  pockets.  They  stabbed 
a  wounded  man  who  was  lying  by  his  side.  The  soldiers  of 
his  regiment  who  had  listened  to  his  teachings  in  life  came  in 
groups  to  gaze  with  silent  sorrow  upon  the  marble  brow  of 
him  who  had  been  a  faithful  teacher,  and  who  gave  his  life 
freely  for  his  country. 

At  his  funeral  obsequies  in  Boston,  Rev.  E.  0.  Haven  said 
of  him :  — 

"  Could  he  whose  mangled  body  now  lies  before  you,  from  which  the 
deadly  bullet  has  expelled  the  noble  Christian's  soul,  rise  again  and 
speak  out  as  he  was  wont  to  do  in  ringing  words,  they  would  not  be 
apologetic,  but  words  of  exultation.  Were  it  possible  for  him  to  be  at 
once  fallen  in  battle  and  yet  alive  with  us,  I  know  that  he  would  fill 
our  souls  with  his  own  holy  enthusiasm.  I  know  that  he  would  make 
us  understand  and  feel  the  magnitude  of  his  thought  and  the  love  ot 
els  heart,  when  he  offered  to  his  country,  in  what  he  thought  her  bit- 
terest trial,  the  sight  of  his  eye  and  the  strength  of  his  arm,  and  above 
all  the  moral  example  of  his  character,  won  by  many  years'  devotion 
to  the  good  of  his  fellow-men.  He  offered  all  this  to  his  country,  and 
he  did  right.  It  was  an  overflowing  love.  He  gave  his  life  for  liberty 
to  all  men,  instead  of  slavery  for  negroes,  vassalage  for  the  great  ma- 
jority of  the  whites,  and  a  despotism,  —  greatest  curse  of  all,  —  for  a 
few.  He  offered  his  life  to  inspire  the  army  with  noble  purpose,  and 
if  need  be,  to  inspire  the  nation.  He  knew  that  his  life  might  be 
taken,  and  is  not  now  surprised ;  but  there  comes  a  voice  from  his 
spirit  to  us  saying.  Waste  not  your  sympathies  in  inactive  sorrow,  but 
connect  the  strong  tide  of  your  emotion  into  vigorous  thought  and  pow- 
erful action.  Weep  not  for  me,  but  weep  for  yourselves  and  your  chil- 
dren,—  or  see  to  it  that  they  are  so  protected  as  not  to  need  your 
tears." 

Rev.  James  Freeman  Clarke  was  his  playmate  in  boyhood, 
and  his  friend  through  life,  and  standing  by  his  coffin,  looking 
for  the  last  time  upon  his  face,  said :  — 

"  Arthur  Fuller  was  like  the  most  of  us,  a  lover  of  peace ;  but  he 
•aw,  as  we  have  liad  to  see,  that  sometimes  true  peace  can  only  come 


152  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec. 

through  war.  In  this  last  struggle  at  Fr«dericksburg  he  took  a  soldier's 
weapon,  and  went  on  with  the  little  forlorn  hope,  who  were  leading  the 
advance  through  the  streets.  He  had  not  been  in  battle  much  before, 
but  more  among  the  sick  in  hospitals.  Perhaps  he  thought  it  right  to 
show  the  soldiers  that  in  an  hour  of  emergency  he  was  ready  to  stand 
by  their  side.  So  he  went  with  a  courage  and  devotion  which  all 
must  admire,  and  fell,  adding  his  blood  also  to  the  precious  blood  which 
has  been  shed  as  an  atonement  for  the  sins  of  the  nation.  May  that 
blood  not  be  shed  in  vain.  May  it  be  accepted  by  God  as  a  costly  sac- 
rifice, and  may  we  as  a  people,  when  our  necessary  trials  and  punish- 
ments are  sufficiently  endured,  become  that  righteous  and  happy  nati  m 
God  meant  us  to  be ;  setting  an  example  to  mankind  of  a  Christiaa 
republic  in  which  there  is  no  master  and  no  slave,  no  tyrant  and  no 
victim, —  not  a  mere  rabble  scrambling  for  gain,  but  brothers,  co-oper- 
ating in  building  up  a  grand  commonwealth  of  true  liberty,  justice,  and 
humanity.     Let  our  friends  go  or  stay,  let  us  live  or  die,  — 

*  So  wake  we  to  higher  aims, 
Of  a  land  that  has  lost  for  a  little  her  love  of  gold, 
And  love  of  peace ;  that  was  full  of  wrongs,  shames, 
Horrible,  hateful,  monstrous,  not  to  be  told. 
And  hail  once  more  the  banner  of  battle  unrolled  1 
Though  many  an  eye  shall  darken,  and  many  shall  weep, 
Yet  many  a  darkness  into  light  shall  leap.* 

".  .  .  .  To  die  thus,  full  of  devotion  to  a  noble  cause,  is  not  to 
die,  —  it  is  to  live.  It  is  rising  into  a  higher  life.  It  is  passing  up 
into  the  company  of  the  true  and  noble,  of  the  brave  and  generous,  — 
it  is  going  to  join  heroes  and  martyrs  of  all  ages,  who  have  not  counted 
life  dear  when  given  to  a  good  cause.  Such  devoted  offerings  by  the 
young  and  brave  surrendering  up  their  lives  raise  us  all  above  the 
fear  of  death.     What  matters  it  when  we  die,  so  that  we  live  holy  ?  — 

'  They  are  the  dead,  the  buried, 
They  who  do  still  survive. 
In  sin  and  sense  interred  ;  — 
The  dead  I  —  they  are  aUve ! '" 

Foothold  having  been  secured  on  the  southern  bank  of  the 
Rappahannock,  the  army  began  to  cross.  A  third  pontoon 
bridge  was  constructed  at  the  lower  end  of  the  town.  A  thick 
fog  hung  over  the  river  on  the  morning  of  the  12tli.  The  air 
was  calm,  and  I  could  distinctly  hear  the  confused  hum  of 
preparation  for  the  great  battle.     Burnside's  troops  were  mov 


1862.]  BATTLE   OF  FREDERICKSBURG.  153 

ing  into  position,  and  so  were  Lee's ;  but  all  the  movements 
of  both  armies  were  concealed  by  tlie  fog. 

The  Rebel  pickets  still  clung  to  the  outskirts  of  the  town. 
At  noon  the  fog  disappeared,  drifting  up  the  Rappahannock. 
Suddenly  the  Rebel  batteries  on  the  hills  above  the  town  began 
to  throw  shells  upon  the  Second  Corps,  which  had  crossed  the 
upper  bridge  and  was  forming  in  the  streets.  Colonel  Tyler, 
who  commanded  the  heavy  guns  on  the  Falmouth  hills,  was 
quick  to  reply.  The  batteries  in  the  centre  opened,  also  those 
on  the  left.  The  distance  from  the  most  remote  battery  on  the 
right  to  the  farthest  on  the  left  was  five  miles.  The  Second 
and  Ninth  Corps  were  in  the  town,  the  front  line  was  in  the 
streets  and  the  rear  line  along  the  bank  of  the  river.  Artillery 
trains  and  wagons  loaded  with  ammunition  were  going  over. 
Solid  shot  from  the  Rebel  batteries  tossed  up  the  water  in  the 
river.     Shells  were  bursting  in  the  town. 

The  First  and  Sixth  Corps,  under  Franklin,  had  crossed  at 
the  lower  bridge  by  the  house  of  Mr.  Bernard,  and  were  mov- 
ing over  the  wide  plain.  The  Bernard  House,  where  Franklin 
had  established  his  head-quarters,  was  a  fine  old  mansion  sur- 
rounded by  trees.  Beyond  the  house  there  was  a  smooth  inter- 
vale, with  here  and  there  a  hollow,  where  the  troops  could  find 
shelter  from  the  artillery-fire  of  the  enemy. 

General  Stoneman  was  moving  down  from  the  Falmouth  hills 
with  Birney's  and  Sickles's  divisions.  Opposite  Falmouth,  on 
the  Rebel  left,  was  Longstreet's  corps,  with  Anderson's  division 
on  Stanisbury  Hill,  —  his  pickets  stationed  along  the  canal, 
which  winds  around  its  base.  Next  to  Anderson  was  Ransom's 
division,  on  Maryee's  Hill,  directly  in  rear  of  the  town.  Two 
roads  run  up  the  hill,  leading  west,  —  the  Gordonsville  plank- 
road  and  the  Orange  turnpike.  Mr.  Maryee's  house  stands 
between  them.  It  is  a  fine  brick  dwelling,  with  a  stately  por- 
tico before  it,  with  a  beautiful  lawn  sloping  towards  the  city, 
shaded  by  oaks  and  adorned  with  flowering  shrubs.  From 
the  roof  of  the  mansion  General  Longstreet  can  obtain  a  fail 
view  of  what  is  going  on  in  the  Union  lines.  He  can  see  the 
troops  gathering  in  the  streets  and  behold  the  dark  masses 
under  Franklin  moving  out  past  the  Bernard  House. 

At  the  base  of  the  hill  he  can  see  some  of  his  own  soldiers, 


154  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec. 

sheltered  behind  a  stone-wall  aiong  the  Old  Telegraph  road, 
which  is  dug  like  a  canal  into  the  side  of  the  hill.  It  is  a  shel- 
tered position,  and  tlieir  rifles  and  muskets  will  sweep  the  level 
field  in  front  towards  the  town.  His  heaviest  cannon  and  his 
largest  howitzers  are  in  position  around  Maryee's  house,  behind 
earthworks.  The  Washington  Artillery,  which  was  in  the  first 
battle  of  Manassas,  and  which  fought  through  all  battles  of  the 
Peninsula,  at  Groveton  and  Antietam,  is  there. 

Ransom's  division  extends  to  Hazel  Run,  —  a  stream  which 
comes  down  through  a  deep  ravine  from  the  west,  gurgling  over 
a  rocky  bed,  and  turning  the  great  wheel  of  a  grist-mill,  just 
hid  from  sight  as  you  look  up  the  river  from  the  town.  An 
unfinished  railroad  embankment  is  thrown  up  in  the  run,  —  the 
Gordonsville  road,  —  which  was  in  construction  when  the  war 
broke  out.  There  is  a  hollow  in  the  smooth  field  in  front  of 
the  telegraph  road,  —  a  place  to  be  kept  in  remembrance. 
There  is  a  higher  elevation  beyond  Maryee's  house,  which  over- 
looks the  town,  and  all  the  plain  below,  called  Lee's  Hill,  where 
Lee  has  placed  his  guns  of  longest  range. 

Across  the  ravine  is  McLaw's  division,  behind  an  embankment 
which  extends  up  the  hill  and  into  the  woods  along  the  Tel 
egraph  road.      Beyond   McLaw's   is   Pickett's  division ;  then 
Hood's  division,  which  forms  the  right  of  Longstreet's  com 
mand,  and  reaches  to  Deep  Run.     Longstreet's  head-quarters 
are  in  rear  of  Hood. 

Across  Deep  Run  are  the  head-quarters  of  Lee,  who  can  stand 
by  his  tent  and  look  down  upon  the  battle-field.  He  can  see  what 
Couch  and  Wilcox  are  doing  in  the  town.  He  is  directly  in  front 
of  Bernard's  mansion,  and  can  also  behold  all  the  movements 
of  the  Union  troops  on  the  plain.  A.  P.  Hill's  division  of  Jack- 
son's corps  is  in  front  of  him,  —  Hill's  left  resting  on  Deep 
Run,  and  his  right  reaching  to  Captain  Hamilton's  house,  where 
the  railroad  crosses  the  old  Richmond  road.  Hill's  troops  are 
partially  concealed  in  the  woods.  Behind  Hill  are  the  divisions 
of  Early  and  Taliferro,  —  Taliferro  being  on  the  right,  near 
Hamilton's  house.  Farther  in  the  rear,  on  the  hill,  is  D.  H. 
Hill's  division,  which  is  held  in  reserve.  There  are  fourteen 
guns  —  from  Pegram's,  Mcintosh's,  Crenshaw's,  Latham's,  and 
Johnson's  batteries  —  on  the  hill  near  Hamilton's. 


1862.] 


BATTLE   OF   FREDERICKSBURG. 


165 


156  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec 

Mr.  Bernard  has  been  a  large  slaveholder.  His  estate  is 
known  in  the  county  round  by  the  name  of  Mansfield.  His 
negroes  live  in  humble  homes, — in  cabins  near  the  railroad, 
out  towards  Hamilton's.  There,  around  the  cabins,  Jackson 
has  placed  twenty-one  guns  from  Davidson's,  Raines's,  Caskie's, 
and  Braxton's  batteries.  To  the  right  of  these,  and  between 
Bernard's  and  the  railroad,  are  twelve  guns,  —  Wooding's  and 
Carpenter's  batteries. 

The  road  from  Fredericksburg  to  Port  Royal  runs  parallel  to 
the  river,  about  half  a  mile  distant  from  the  stream. 

General  Stuart,  with  two  brigades  of  cavalry  and  his  batteries 
of  light  artillery,  hold  the  road.  The  Louisiana  Guards  are 
Bent  down  to  aid  him.  His  line  runs  nearly  at  right  angles 
with  Jackson's  infantry  line,  and  extends  from  the  railroad  to 
the  river.  His  batteries  will  have  a  cross-fire  upon  the  First 
and  Sixth  Corps,  whenever  they  attempt  to  move  out  from  Ber- 
nard's to  gain  possession  of  the  railroad  at  Hamilton's. 

Such  is  the  field,  —  a  smooth  plain,  a  mile  wide  and  two 
miles  long,  around  Bernard's,  reaching  up  to  the  town.  Ber- 
nard's farm  is  cut  across  by  the  Port  Royal  road,  the  old  road 
to  Richmond,  and  by  the  railroad.  The  Port  Royal  road  is 
bordered  by  cedars,  thick-set  hedges,  and  a  deep  ditch.  There 
are  fences  dividing  the  intervale  into  fields.  Deep  Run  is 
fringed  with  alders.  Maryee's  Hill  is  quite  steep.  The  Rebel 
cannon  sweep  all  the  plain,  the  field  at  the  base  of  Maryee's, 
and  the  town  itself.  The  Rebel  troops  have  the  protection  of 
the  sunken  road,  of  the  rifle-pits  along  the  crests  of  the  hills. 
They  are  sheltered  by  woods,  by  ravines,  by  the  hedges  and 
fences,  but  Burnside  has  no  cover  for  his  troops.  Tliey  must 
march  out  upon  the  plain,  charge  up  the  hillsides,  and  receive 
the  fire  of  a  sheltered  foe. 

To  win  a  victory,  even  with  a  superior  force,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, there  must  be  not  only  great  courage  and  self-pos- 
session, but  a  well-laid  plan  and  harmonious  action  of  all  subor- 
dinate commanders. 

Barnside's  plan  was  to  make  a  vigorous  movement  with  a 
large  portion  of  his  army  to  gain  the  railroad  at  Hamilton's 
house,  and  at  the  same  time  rout  Longstreet  from  his  position 
on  Maryee's  Hill.     If  he  succeeded  at  Hamilton's,  even  if  lie 


1862.]  BATTLE  OF  FEEDERICKSCUKG.  157 

failed  at  Marycc's,  Leo  would  be  compelled  to  CYacuato  tho 
town,  because  Burnsidc  would  hold  the  railroad  over  wliicli  Leo 
received  his  supplies. 

In  tho  council  of  ofliccrs,  held  on  the  night  of  the  11th,  Gen 
cral  Franklin,  who  had  about  sixty  thousand  men,  urged  such 
a  movement  on  the  left.  There  was  delay  iji  issuing  tlie  orders, 
which  gave  Lee  ample  time  to  strengthen  his  position.  Tlio 
plan  adopted  was  substantially  tliat  whicli  Franklhi  had  urged. 
These  were  Burnside's  directions  to  Franklin  :  — 

^  General  Ilardce  will  carry  tliis  dcspatcli  to  you,  and  remain  with 
you  through  the  day.  The  general  commanding  directs  tliat  you  keep 
your  Avliolc  command  in  'position '  for  a  rapid  movement  down  the  okl 
Ixiclimond  road  ;  and  you  will  send  out  at  once  a  division  at  least,  to 
pass  below  Smithfield',  to  seize,  if  possible,  tlic  heights  near  Captain 
Hamilton's,  on  this  side  of  the  Massaponax,  taking  care  to  keep  it  well 
suppoi-led  and  its  line  of  retreat  open.  He  has  ordered  another  column 
of  a  division  or  more  to  be  moved  from  General  Sumner's  command,  up 
the  Piank-road  to  its  intersection  with  the  Telegraph  road,  wliere  they 
will  divide,  with  a  view  of  seizing  the  heights  on  both  these  roads.  Hold 
ing  these  heights,  with  the  heiglits  near  Captain  Hamilton's,  will,  ho 
hopes,  compel  the  enemy  to  evacuate  the  whole  ridge  between  these 
points." 

In  a  letter  to  General  Ilalleck,  written  on  the  19th,  a  week 
after  the  battle.  General  Burnsidc  explains  his  plan  more 
fully. 

"  The  enemy,"  he  says,  "  had  cut  a  road  in  rear  of  the  lino  of  heights 
where  we  made  our  attack,  by  means  of  which  they  connected  the  two 
wings  of  their  army  and  avoided  a  long  detour  around  through  a  bad 
country.  I  obtained  from  a  colored  man  information  in  regard  to  this 
road,  which  proved  to  be  correct.  I  wanted  to  obtain  possession  of  this 
road,  and  that  was  my  reason  for  making  my  attack  on  the  extreme 
left.  I  did  not  intend  to  make  an  attack  on  the  right  till  that  position 
was  taken,  which  I  supposed  would  stagger  tlie  enemy,  cutting  their 
line  in  two  ;  and  then  I  proposed  to  make  a  direct  attack  in  front  and 
drive  them  out  of  their  works." 

The  day  (tho  12th)  passed,  and  night  came  on  before  tlie 
army  was  in  position  to  make  the  attack.  At  sunset  tho 
batteries  along  the  lines  opened  fire,  but  the  shells  for  the  most 
part  baist  harmlessly,  and  the  soldiers,  accui-tomcd  to  dantryr, 


158  THE  BOYS   OF   '61.  [Dcc. 

cooked  tlicir  cofTcc  by  the  glimmering  bivouac  fires,  spread  their 
blankets  on  the  ground,  and  lay  down  to  sleep,  giving  no  heed 
to  the  cannon's  roar  or  the  constant  firing  along  the  picket 
lines. 

THE    MORNING. 

The  morning  of  the  13th  dawned.  A  thick  fog  hung  over 
tlic  river,  so  dense  that  it  was  hardly  possible  to  distinguish  ob- 
jects a  hundred  yards  distant.  General  Sumner's  head-quar- 
ters were  by  the  house  of  Mr.  Phillips,  north  of  the  river.  Gen- 
eral Burnsido  rode  down  from  his  own  head-quarters,  and  met 
General  Sumner  and  General  Ilooker,  and  other  officers.  lie 
wore  an  anxious  look,  and  justly,  for  it  was  the  most  respon- 
sible hour  of  his  life.  Up  to  that  time  all  of  his  well-laid  plans 
liad  failed.  Ho  had  hoped  to  cross  the  river  and  surprise  the 
Rebels,  but  two  days  had  passed  since  the  beginning  of  the 
movement,  giving  Lee  time  to  strengthen  his  defences.  Now 
the  fog  hung  over  the  river,  and  he  was  afraid  of  collision  be- 
tween different  divisions  of  his  troops.  But  a  password  was 
whispered  along  tlio  lines,  and  orders  were  issued  to  go  for- 
ward. 

"While  the  troops  were  waiting  for  the  advance  the  mails 
arrived.  IIow  eagerly  were  the  letters  and  papers  grasped  by 
the  soldiers !  It  was  affecting  to  sec  them,  as  they  read  the 
words  of  love  from  home,  dash  the  tears  from  their  eyes. 
Ilomo  was  dear  to  them  just  then. 

The  fog  began  to  drift  along  the  valley.  It  was  like  the 
drawing  aside  of  a  curtain.  The  entire  battle-field  was  in  view. 
Two  signal-guns  were  fired  in  quick  succession  by  the  Rebels 
far  down  on  the  left  in  front  of  Franklin.  There  was  a  quick 
mounting  of  horses  at  Burnside's  head-quarters.  The  officers 
liad  received  their  final  orders,  and  dashed  away  to  carry  them 
into  execution. 

The  main  attack  was  to  be  led  by  Franklin.  lie  had  his  own 
two  corps,  numbering  forty  thousand  ;  Stoneman  was  moving 
to  his  support  with  twenty  thousand,  and  Butterfield,  with  the 
Fifth  Corps,  could  be  called  to  aid  him  if  needed. 

Standing  where  General  Tyler  had  planted  his  guns,  I  had  a 
fair  view  of  the  entire  battle-field.     The  position  was  below  the 


1862.]  BATTLE   OF   FREDERICKSBURG.  159 

town,  near  the  lower  bridge,  on  the  Washington  farm.  Rebel 
ofTicers  were  riding  to  and  fro  around  ^laryce's  house.  The 
gunners  of  the  Washington  Artillery  were  leaning  iipon  their 
pieces,  watching  the  movements  in  the  town.  The  Second  Corps 
had.  moved  out  from  the  streets  past  the  old  burying-ground, 
and  was  near  the  gas-works.  The  right  of  the  line  extended 
north  of  the  Plank-road  to  the  monument  erected  to  the  mem- 
ory of  Washington's  mother. 

General  French's  division  of  the  Second  Corps  was  on  the 
right ;  General  Ilancock's  was  next  in  the  line,  with  Uoward's 
division,  as  reserve,  in  the  rear.  The  Second  Corps  batteries 
were  standing  in  the  streets  of  the  town,  the  ofllccrs  vainly  seek- 
ing positions  where  they  could  fire  upon  the  Rebel  batteries 
which  looked  down  upon  them  from  Maryee's  Ilill. 

The  Ninth  Corps  under  Wilcox  was  joined  to  the  Second  Corps, 
and  occupied  the  lower  end  of  the  town.  General  Sturgis's 
division  was  in  front,  w^ith  Whipple's,  forming  the  second  lino. 
Burns's  division  was  in  reserve,  near  Deep  Run.  The  Rebel 
ammunition  trains  were  in  sight  far  up  Ilazcl  Run,  and  on  the 
distant  hill  there  was  a  group  of  Rebel  oiTiccrs  around  Long- 
street's  head-quarters.  Troops  and  teams  were  passing  to  and 
fro  between  Ilood's  and  Pickett's  divisions.  AVilcox's  troops 
were  taking  position,  marching  and  countermarcliing,  closing 
in  solid  mass  under  the  shelter  of  the  banks  of  Hazel  Run. 
The  right  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  under  General  Smith,  rested  on 
Deep  Run,  Brooks's  division  joining  Burns's  west  of  the  run, 
almost  up  to  the  railroad-  Ilowe's  division  was  next  in  line, 
where  the  Rebel  batteries  had  full  sweep  of  the  broad  intervale. 
The  ground  is  a  dead  level  cast  of  the  run,  extending  from 
the  river  to  the  wooded  hill,  where  Lee  had  established  his 
head-quarters.  Howe's  troops  were  lying  along  tlie  old  Rich- 
mond road,  where,  beneath  the  cedars  and  sodded  fences,  the 
soldiers  found  shelter  from  the  shells  of  the  enemy.  Genera) 
Newton's  division  was  on  the  left  of  Howe's,  also  lying  undei 
cover. 

General  Gibbon's  division  of  Reynolds's  corps,  the  First, 
was  next  in  line.  Meade  stood  next,  directly  in  front  of  the 
railroad-crossing  at  Hamilton's, — the  vital  point,  which,  if  seized 
and  held,  would  force  Lee  out  of  his  intrenchments.     Meade 


160  THE    BOYS   OF    '61  [Bcc 

had  crossed  the  old  Richmond  road,  and  was  facing  south; 
Doubleday's  division  was  on  the  extreme  left,  extending  from 
Meade's  left  to  the  river,  facing  cast,  and  standing  nearly  at 
right  angles  with  ^[cade's  division. 

The  battle  was  begun  by  General  Meade,  his  divisions  hav- 
ing been  selected  to  lead  the  advance  towards  the  railroad- 
crossing.  The  Bucktails,  who  had  been  in  nearly  all  the  en 
gagcments  on  the  Peninsula,  who  first  exhibited  their  valor 
at  Drainsvillc,  who  were  under  Ilooker  at  Antietam,  wei'O 
first  engaged.  They  moved  over  the  open  field  beyond  Ber- 
nard's, and  drove  the  enemy's  skirmishers.  The  Rebel  bat- 
teries —  Latham's,  Johnson's,  Mcintosh's,  Pegram's,  and 
Crenshaw's  —  opened  a  heavy  fire.  Jackson  knew  the  impor- 
tance of  holding  the  position  at  Ilamilton's,  and  had  massed 
these  batteries,  which  gave  a  concentrated  fire  upon  the  ad- 
vancing force.  Reynolds's  batteries  galloped  into  position  and 
replied ;  and  so  for  an  hour  the  pounding  of  the  batteries  went 
on  along  the  left. 

Meade's  division  was  composed  of  three  brigades.  The  First 
was  commanded  by  Colonel  Sinclair,  and  was  composed  of  the 
First  Rifles  (Bucktails),  the  First,  Second,  and  Sixth  regi- 
ments of  tlie  Pennsylvania  Reserves.  The  Second  Brigade 
was  comniandcd  by  Colonel  Magilton,  and  consisted  of  the 
Third,  Fourth,  Seventh,  and  Eighth  regiments  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Reserves,  and  the  One  Ilundred  and  Forty-Second  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers.  The  Third  Brigade  was  commanded  by 
Ceneral  C.  F.  Jackson,  and  was  composed  of  the  Fifth,  Ninth, 
Tenth,  Eleventh,  and  Twelfth  regiments  of  the  Reserves. 
Attached  to  this  division  were  four  batteries  of  four  guns  each, 
Captain  Ransom's  Third  United  States  artillery,  Lieutenant 
Simpson's,  Captain  Amsden's,  and  Captain  Cooj)cr's  of  the 
First  Pennsylvania  regiment  of  artillery.  Captain  Fiansom 
iuul  Lieutenant  Simpson  had  twelve-pounders,  the  otliers  were 
tliree-inch  rifled  guns. 

Sinclair's  brigade  was  in  the  front  line,  and  ^lagil ton's  three 
liundred  paces  in  rear  of  it.  Jackson's  was  in  rear  of  the  left 
of  the  two  lines,  with  his  men  in  column  of  regiments,  about 
one  hundred  paces  in  rear  of  Magilton's  line.  These  three 
brigades  numbered  about  six  thousand  m'^n. 


18G2.]  BATTLE   OF  FREDERICKSBURG.  i.61 

THE    ATTACK    ON    THE    LEFT. 

It  was  just  nine  o'clock  when  Meade  moved  from  his  position 
near  the  Bernard  Ilouse. 

A  ravine  comes  down  from  the  hills  and  forms  the  dividing 
line  between  the  Bernard  and  Smitlifield  estates.  As  soon 
as  ^Icade  crossed  the  ravine,  he  turned  the  liead  of  his  column 
to  the  south,  and  moved  to  the  Bowling  Green  or  old  Ricli- 
moiid  road,  where  he  was  obliged  to  stop  while  the  pioneers 
could  cut  away  the  hedges,  level  the  sod  fences,  and  bridge 
the  ditclies,  in  order  that  his  artillery  could  pass.  While 
he  was  doing  this,  Stuart's  batteries  opened  fire.  They  were 
on  ^[cade's  left  flank  and  enfiladed  his  lines,  throwing  shells 
directly  up  the  road.  Meade  apprehended  an  immediate  attack 
on  his  left  flank,  and  swung  his  second  brigade  towards  Stuart, 
facing  east,  Avhile  his  first  brigade  Avas  still  facing  south  towards 
ETamilton's  crossing.  His  line  thus  made  two  sides  of  a  square. 
There  was  a  little  knoll  on  the  left  of  the  first  brigade. 

"  That  is  the  place  for  you,"  said  Meade  to  Cooper  and  Ran- 
som. The  batteries  were  quickly  wheeled  into  the  position 
indicated.  The  gunners  had  a  fair  A^iew  of  the  Rebel  batteries 
over  the  level  plain.  Simpson  brought  his  battery  up  and 
placed  it  in  front  of  the  Third  Brigade,  and  replied  to  Pcgram. 
Such  was  the  opening  of  the  battle. 

^Meanwhile,  Doublcday  was  pushing  down  by  the  river. 
When  the  Rebel  batteries  opened  fire,  he  brought  his  own 
into  position  and  gave  a  cross-fire,  which  was  so  severe  that 
Stuart's  Rockbridge  battery  was  quickly  silenced  and  the  guns 
withdrawn.  While  this  was  going  on,  a  body  of  Rebel  sharp- 
shooters crept  up  by  the  hedges  and  commenced  firing ;  but 
two  companies  of  marksmen  Avere  sent  out  by  General  Jackson's 
brigade,  which  drove  them  back. 

An  hour  passed  before  Meade  was  ready  to  move  again. 
Doublcday  had  advanced  towards  Stuart,  but  Gibbon  was  not 
yet  upon  ^Icade's  right. 

Stonewall  Jackson,  seeing  that  Doublcday  was  moving  down 
the  river,  thought  that  it  was  Franklin's  intention  to  turn  his 
riglit  flank.  D.  11.  Ilill's  division,  which  was  close  by  Hamil- 
ton's house,  was  sent  upon  the  double-quick  to  help  Stuart  hold 
:i 


1G2  THE    ROYS   OF    '61.  [DCC. 

his  lino  *  This  weakened  liis  centre.  It  was  at  this  auspicious 
moment  that  Meade's  division  advanced  alone  to  pierce  the 
Rebel  line. 

It  was  twelve  o'clock,  and  Franklin's  force  was  in  the  follow- 
ing position  :  Doubledaj  on  tlie  left,  well  down  towards  Stuart, 
his  batteries  in  full  play  ;  Meade  tliirty  or  forty  rods  beyond  the 
Bowling  Green  road,  in  the  open  field  ;  Gibbon  and  Newton 
just  over  the  road;  Ilowe  up  to  it;  Birney  and  Sickles  filing 
out  from  tlie  bridges,  a  mile  in  rear  of  Meade. 

All  of  Franklin's  batteries  whicli  were  in  position,  one  hun- 
dred and  sixteen  guns,  commenced  a  rapid  fire  upon  the  woods 
beyond  the  railroad,  to  protect  Meade  in  his  advance.  Do 
Russey  opened  with  his  sixty  pieces  from  the  hills  north  of  the 
Rappahannock,  throwing  shells  over  the  heads  of  the  advancing 
troops. 

Jackson's  batteries  were  equally  active.  Tliere  were  twenty- 
one  guns  by  tlie  negro  cal)ins  in  front  of  Uowe,  twelve  in  front 
of  Newton,  fourteen  in  front  of  Meade,  while  other  single  bat- 
teries under  Stuart  were  playing  on  the  left.  ^More  tlian  two 
hundred  and  fifty  pieces  were  roaring  as  Meade  advanced. 

It  was  a  magnificent  spectacle;  but  it  was  a  moment  of 
anxiety  to  Burnside,  who  could  only  judge  of  the  progress  of 
the  battle  by  the  following  despatches,  received  from  time  to 
time. 

"  IIe^uj-Quarters,  Fraxkltn's  Grand  Division, 
December  13,  7.40  A.  M. 
General  Burnside  : 

*'  General  Meiidc's  division  is  to  make  the  movement  from  our  left ; 
but  it  is  just  reported  that  the  enemy's  skirmishers  are  advancing,  indi- 
cating an  attack  upon  our  position  on  the  left." 

"  9  o'clock  A.  INI. 

"  General  Meade  just  moved  out.  Doubleday  supports  him.  Meade's 
skirmishers  engaged,  however,  at  once  with  enemy's  skirmishers.  Bat- 
tery opening,  on  Meade  probably,  from  position  on  okl  Kichmond  road." 

"11  o'clock  A.  :M. 
"  Meade  advanced  half  a  mile,  and  holds  on.     Infantry  of  enemy  in 
woods  in  front  of  extreme  left,  also  in  front  of  Howe.     No  loss,  so  far 
of  great   importance.      General   Vinton  badly,    but   not  dangerously 
wounded. 


Jackson's  Report. 


1862.]  BATTLE   OF  FEEDEEICKSBUEG.  103 

"Later.  —  ReTjnolds  has  heen  forced  to  develop  Ids  whole  Vtnc. 

"  An  attack  of  some  force  of  enemy's  troops  on  our  left  seems  probable, 

as  far  as  can  now  bo  judged.     Stoncman  has  been  directed  to  cross  one 

division  to  support  our  left.     Report  of  cavalry  pickets  from  the  other 

side  of  the  river,  that  enemy's  troops  ^verc  moving  down  the  river  on 

this  side  during  the  latter  part  of  the  night.     Howe's  pickets  reported 

movements  in  their  front,  same  direction.     Still  they  have  a  strong 

orce  well  posted,  with  batteries,  there." 

"12  o'clock  M. 

"  Birney's  division  is  now  getting  into  position.     That  done,  Reynolds 

will  order  Meade  to  advance.     Batteries  over  the  river  are  to  shell  the 

enemy's  position  in  the  woods  in  front  of  Reynolds's  left,     lie  thinks 

the  effect  will  be  to  protect  Meade's  advance.    A  column  of  llic  enemy's 

infantry  is  passing  along  the  crest  of  the  hills  from  right  to  left,  as  wo 

look  at  it." 

"  12.5  r.  M. 

"  General  Meade's  line  is  advancing  in  the  direction  you  prescribed 

this  morning." 

"  1  o'clock  r.  U. 

*'  Enemy  opened  a  battery  on  Reynolds,  enfilading  Meade.    Reynolds 

has  opened  all  his  batteries  on  it ;  no  report  yet.     Reynolds  hotly  en* 

gaged  at  this  moment.     Will  report  in  a  few  moments  again." 

"1.15  o'clock  r.  M. 
"Heavy  engagements  of  inf^mtry.    Enemy  in  force  where  battery  is. 
Meade  is  assaulting  the  hill.     Will  report  in  a  few  minutes  again." 

"  1.25  o'clock  r.]\l. 
"  Meade  is  in  the  woods  in  his  front ;  seems  to  be  able  to  hold  on. 
Reynolds  will  push  Gibbon  in,  if  necessary.  The  battery  and  Avoods 
referred  to  must  be  near  Hamilton's  house.  The  infantry  firing  is  pro- 
longed and  quite  heavy.  Things  look  well  enough.  Men  in  fine 
Bpii'its." 

"1.40  o'clock  r.  M. 
•'  Meade  having  carried  a  portion  of  the  enemy's  position  in  the  woods, 
we  have  three  hundred  prisoners.  Enemy's  battery  on  extreme  left 
retired.  Tough  work ;  men  fight  well.  Gibbon  has  advanced  to 
ISTeade's  right;  men  fight  well,  driving  the  enemy.  Meade  has  suffered 
severely.     Doubleday  to  Meade's  left,  —  not  engaged." 

"  2i  o'clock  r.  ]M. 
"  Gibbon  and  Meade  driven  back  from  the  woods.    Newton  gone  for. 
ward.     Jackson's  corps  of  the  enemy  attacks  on  the  left.      General 


1G4  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [DeC. 

Gibbon  slightly  wounded.  General  Bayard  mortally  wounded  by  a 
bUcU.  Things  do  not  look  as  well  on  Reynolds's  front;  still,  wo 'U 
Lave  new  troops  in  soon.'* 

"2.25  r.M. 

"  Despatch  received.  Franklin  will  do  his  best.  New  troops  gone 
in.     Will  report  soon  again." 

"  3  o'clock  r.  M. 

"  Reynolds  seems  to  be  holding  his  own.  Things  look  better,  some- 
what." 

"3.40  o'clock  r.  M. 

•'  Gibbon's  and  jMeadc's  divisions  are  badly  used  up,  and  I  fear  another 
advance  on  the  enemy  on  our  left  cannot  be  made  this  afternoon. 
Doubleday's  division  will  replace  Meade's,  as  soon  as  it  can  be  collected. 
and,  if  it  be  done  in  lime,  of  course  another  attack  will  be  made. 

"  The  enemy  are  in  force  in  the  woods  on  our  left,  towards  Hamilton's, 
and  are  threatening  the  safety -of  tliat  portion  of  our  line.  They  seem 
(0  have  detached  a  portion  of  their  force  to  our  front,  where  Howe  and 
Brooks  arc  now  engaged.  Brooks  has  some  prisoners,  and  is  down  to 
the  railroad.  Just  as  soon  as  the  left  is  safe,  our  forces  here  will  be 
prepared  for  a  front  attack,  but  it  may  be  too  late  this  afternoon.  In- 
deed, we  are  engaged  in  front  anyhow.  Notwithstanding  the  unpleasant 
items  I  relate,  the  morale  generally  of  the  troops  is  good." 

"4^  o'clock  r.  M. 
"Tlic  enemy  is  still  in  force  on  our  left  and  front.    An  attack  on  our 
batteries  in  front  has  been  repulsed.     A  new  attack  has  just  opened  on 
our  left,  but  the  left  is  safe,  though  it  is  too  late  to  advance  cither  to  tho 
left  or  front." 

Sucli  was  the  intelligence  wliicli  reached  General  Burnsidc  of 
the  operations  on  the  left.  It  was  not  very  encouraging.  Uo 
expected  that  Franklin,  with  sixty  thousand  men  at  bis  dis- 
posal, would  sweep  Jackson  from  his  position  by  IlamiUon's,  and 
thus  gain  the  rear  of  Lee's  left  flank,  which  would  make  it 
easy  for  Sumner  with  the  right  wing  to  break  througli  the  lino 
in  rear  of  the  town.  Instead  of  throwing  forty  thousand  men 
upon  Jackson,  as  ho  could  have  done,  dealing  a  blow  which 
might  have  broken  the  Rebel  lines,  Meade's  division  alone  was 
sent  forward.  The  fire  of  the  batteries  was  terrific  as  he  ad- 
vanced, and  so  severe  was  the  cannonade  that  the  Rebel  bat- 
teries which   had  been   advanced   from  the   main   lino  were 


I8G2.]  BATTLE   OF  FREDEEICKSBUEG.  16t) 

forced  to  retire,  with  two  caissons  blown  up  and  several  guns 
disabled.* 

As  the  troops  moved  on  they  came  to  a  hollow  before  reach- 
ing the  railroad.  They  halted  a  moment  on  the  edge  of  the 
depression  and  corrected  their  lines.  It  Avas  a  clear  field  to  the 
railroad  embankment,  behind  which  they  could  see  the  gleam- 
ing of  tlie  sunlight  on  the  bayonets  of  A.  P.  Ilill's  division. 

Meade's  three  brigades  were  now  in  line,  the  first  on  tho 
right,  with  the  Sixth  regiment  of  the  Reserves  tlirown  out  as 
skirmishers  ;  the  Second  in  the  centre,  and  the  Tliird  on  tho 
left. 

The  direction  of  Meade's  advance  brought  him  aG:ainst 
Lane's  and  Arclier's  brigades.  Lane's  brigade  was  composed 
of  five  North  Carolina  regiments,  —  the  Seventh,  Eiglitcenth, 
Twenty-Eighth,  Thirty-Third,  and  Tliirty-Seventh.  Archer's 
was  composed  of  the  First,  Seventh,  and  Fourtecntli  Tennessee, 
and  Nineteenth  Georgia  regiments,  and  Fifth  Alabama  battalion. 
They  were  on  the  railroad  and  in  the  woods.  There  was  a  gap 
between  the  brigades,  and  tlicrc  Meade  drove  the  entering 
wedge.  It  was  a  fierce  and  bloody  contest  along  the  rail- 
road, in  the  woods,  upon  the  hillside,  in  the  ravine,  on  tho 
open  plain,  and  on  the  crest  of  the  ridge.  Tlie  fourteen  guns 
on  the  hill  poured  a  murderous  fire  into  ^Meade's  left  flank. 
Tho  guns  by  Deep  Run,  in  front  of  Pender's  brigade,  enfi- 
laded the  line  from  the  right,  while  in  reserve  were  two  full 
brigades,  —  Thomas's  and  Gregg's,  —  to  fill  the  gap.  But  not- 
withstanding this,  Meade,  unsupported,  charged  down  the  slope, 
through  the  hollow,  up  to  the  railroad,  and  over  it,  routing  tlio 
Fourteenth  Tennessee  and  Nineteenth  Georgia,  of  Archer's,  and 
the  whole  of  Lane's  brigade.  With  a  cheer  the  Pennsylvanians 
went  up  the  hill,  crawling  through  the  thick  underbrush,  to  tho 
crest,  doubling  up  Archer  and  knocking  Lane  completely  out  of 
the  line.  It  was  as  if  a  Ilerculcan  destroyer  had  crumbled, 
with  a  sledge-hammer  stroke,  the  key-stone  of  an  arch,  leaving 
the  whole  structure  in  danger  of  immediate  and  irretrievable 
ruin. 

Archer  shifted  the  Fifth  Alabama  from  his  right  to  his  left, 


Lcc's  Report 


IGG  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec. 

Dut  was  not  able  to  stop  the  advancing  Yankees.  He  had 
ah'eady  sent  to  Gregg  for  help,  and  that  officer  was  pntting  liis 
troops  in  motion.  lie  had  sent  to  Ewell,  wlio  was  by  Ilamil- 
ton's,  and  Trimble  and  Lawton  were  getting  ready  to  move 
Lane  was  still  running,  and  the  gap  Avas  widening  between 
Archer  and  Pender. 

Gibbon  ought  to  have  been  following  Meade,  driving  up  the 
hill  through  the  gap,  but  he  halted  at  the  railroad ;  his  men 
were  loath  to  move,  for  Pender's  batteries  were  cutting  across 
his  flank.  Howe  and  Newton  and  Brooks  were  by  the  Bowling 
Green  road,  shoAving  no  signs  of  advancing.  Sickles  and  Bir- 
ney  were  almost  back  to  Bernard's  mansion.  Doublcday  was 
holding  the  flank  against  Stuart,  and  Meade  was  struggling 
alone. 

The  latter  officer  thus  speaks  of  his  position  at  this  moment :  — 

"  The  first  brlgnde  to  the  right  advanced  several  liundrcd  yards  over 
cleared  ground,  driving  tlic  enemy's  skirmishers  before  them  till  they 
reached  the  woods  in  front  of  the  railroad,  which  they  entered,  driving 
the  enemy  out  of  them  to  the  railroad,  where  they  -svcre  found  strongly 
posted  in  ditches  and  behind  temporary  defences.  Tiie  brigade  (First) 
drove  tlieni  from  there  and  up  the  heights  in  their  front.  Owing  to  a 
heavy  fire  being  received  on  their  right  flank,  they  obliqued  over  to  that 
side,  but  continued  forcing  the  enemy  back  till  they  had  crowned  the 
crest  of  the  liill,  crossed  a  main  road  whicli  runs  along  the  crest,  and 
reached  open  ground  on  the  other  side,  where  they  were  assailed  by  a 
very  severe  fire  from  a  larger  force  in  their  front,  and  at  the  same  time 
the  enemy  opened  a  battery  which  completely  enfiladed  them  from  the 
right  flank.  After  holding  their  ground  for  some  time,  no  support  ar- 
riving, they  w^ere  compelled  to  fall  back  to  the  railroad."  * 

Gibbon,  the  nearest  support  to  Meade,  was  nearly  half  a  milo 
distant. t  That  officer  was  wounded  while  the  fight  vras  hot- 
test, but  of  the  part  whicli  ho  was  performing  he  says  :  — 

*'  As  soon  as  the  enemy's  guns  slackened  fire,  I  saw  General  Meade'3 
troops  moving  forward  into  action,  and  I  at  once  sent  orders  to  my  lead- 
ing brigade  to  advance  and  engage  the  enemy.  Shortly  afterwards  1 
ordered  up  another  brigade  to  support  the  first.     The  fire  was  very 

•  General  arcade's  Testimony,  Conduct  of  the  War,  Tart  I.  p.  COG. 
t  Sec  m:ip  accompanying  General  Franklin's  reply  to  Report  of  Commit  too  on 
Conduct  of  the  War. 


1862.]  BATTLE   OF   FREDERICKSBURG.  167 

heavy  from  the  enemy's  infantry,  and  I  ordered  up  the  Third  Brigade 
and  formed  it  in  cokimu  on  the  right  of  my  line,  and  directed  them  to 
take  the  position  with  the  bayonet,  having  previously  given  that  order 
to  the  leading  brigade.  But  tlie  general  commanding  that  brigade  told 
me  that  the  noise  and  confusion  was  such  that  it  was  impossible  to  get 
the  men  to  charge,  or  to  get  them  to  hear  any  order  to  charge.  The 
Tiiird  Brigade  —  my  last  brigade  —  went  in  and  took  the  position  with 
the  bayonet,  and  captured  a  considerable  number  of  prisoners.  During 
the  fighting  of  the  infantry  I  was  establishing  the  batteries  which  be- 
longed to  my  division  in  position  to  assist  in  the  assault.  I  had  just 
received  the  report  of  the  success  of  this  Third  Brigade,  when  shortly 
after  I  saw  a  regiment  of  Rebel  infantry  come  out  on  the  left  of  my 
line  between  myself  and  General  Meade.  I  rode  up  towards  a  battery 
that  was  on  their  left,  and  directed  them  to  open  fire  upon  that  regi- 
ment. I  was  riding  back  towards  the  right  of  my  line,  when  I  was 
wounded,  and  left  the  field  about  half  past  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
I  think."* 

It  will  bo  seen  by  Franklin's  despatches  that  Meade  had 
broken  the  lino  before  Gibbon  was  engaged.  At  1.15  P.  M. 
ho  telegraphed  to  Burnside,  "  Meade  is  assaulting  the  hill." 
Ten  minutes  later,  at  1.25  P.  M.,  '-''  Reynolds  luill  push  Gibbon 
in  if  necessary^  At  1.40  P.  M.,  "  Meade  has  carried  a  por- 
tion of  the  enemy's  position  in  the  woods.  We  have  threo 
hundred  prisoners.     Gibbon  has  advanced  to  Meade's  right." 

It  was  in  this  advance  to  the  railroad,  when  Gibbon  camo 
in  collision  wdtli  Pender's  and  Thomas's  brigades,  that  Gibbon 
was  wounded. 

While  this  was  going  on  in  front,  the  Second  and  Third 
Brigades  of  Meade  were  enveloping  Gregg's  brigade  of  South 
Carolinians,  which  had  been  hurried  up  to  retrieve  the  disaster 
to  the  line.  There  was  a  short  but  bloody  contest.  Three  hun- 
dred South  Carolinians  fell  in  that  struggle,  including  their 
commander,  General  Gregg,  who  was  mortally  wounded. 

It  was  a  critical  moment  wdtli  Stonewall  Jackson.  The  whole 
of  Ewell's  division,  under  the  command  of  General  Early,  wa^i 
brought  up  to  regain  the  grouiid.  Lawton's  brigade  camo 
first  upon  the  Pennsylvanians,  followed  by  Hayes's,  Tj-imble's, 
and  Field's  brigades,  with  Early's  own,  commanded  by  Colour^ 
Walker. 


Testimony,  Conduct  of  the  War,  Piirt  I.  p.  715. 


I6a  THE   BOYS   OF   '61  [DcC 

Had  Newton,  IIowc,  Brooks,  Sickles,  and  Birncy  been  near 
!it  hand,  or  had  Gibbon  been  pushed  promptly  and  cflcctivcly 
to  Meade's  support,  the  record  of  that  bloody  day  would  havo 
been  far  different  from  what  it  is.  But  they  were  not  there. 
They  had  not  even  been  ordered  to  advance ! 

Unable  to  withstand  the  onset  of  the  whole  of  Jackson's 
force  (with  the  exception  of  a  portion  of  Taliferro's  reserves), 
Meade  was  obliged  to  fall  back,  and  give  up  the  position  won 
by  such  heroic  valor.  As  his  troops  went  to  the  ro.ir,  they  met 
Ward's  brigade  of  Birney's  division  advancing.  i'he  Bcbels 
were  in  full  pursuit.  Birney  wheeled  his  batteries  into  position, 
and  opened  with  canister,  and  the  Rebels  fled  to  the  shelter  of 
the  woods. 

The  divisions  of  Howe  and  Newton  and  Sickles  were  slightly 
engaged  later  in  the  day,  but  only  in  repulsing  a  second 
advance  of  the  Rebels.  The  attack  which  Meade  had  opened  so 
gallantly,  and  which  was  attended  with  such  good  success,  had 
failed.  Less  than  ten  thousand  men  had  broken  the  enemy's 
line,  and  opened  tlie  way  to  victory.  Of  tlie  sixty  thousand 
men  at  Franklin's  disposal  not  more  than  sixteen  or  eighteen 
thousand  were  engaged  during  the  day,*  and  of  those  not  moro 
than  eight  thousand  at  any  one  time. 

General  Franklin,  in  vindicating  himself  from  censure  for 
not  attacking  with  a  larger  force  and  more  vigorously,  falls 
back  on  the  clause  in  Burnside's  order,  "  to  attack  with  one 
division  at  least,  and  to  keep  it  well  supported."  It  would 
have  beei,!  better  if  Burnsidc  had  given  explicit  instructions. 
Tliere  must  be  some  latitude  allowed  to  subordinates,  but  thero 
are  very  few  men  who,  without  particular  instructions,  can 
enter  fully  into  the  plans  and  intentions  of  the  commander- 
in-chief.  Franklin  was  constitutionally  sluggish  in  his  move- 
ments. The  attack  on  the  left  required  boldness,  energy,  and 
perseverance.  Sumner  was  the  man  for  tlie  place.  Burnsidc 
was  peculiarly  unfortunate  in  the  selccuon  of  commanders  to 
carry  out  the  particular  features  of  his  plan  ;  but  Sumner  liav- 
ing  been  first  to  arrive  at  Falmouth,  and  having  taken  position, 
it  was  not  easy  to  make  the  change. 

While  the  battle  was  raging  on  the  left  I  rode  over  the  plain. 

*  Testimony  of  Mcadc  and  other  officers,  Conduct  of  the  War 


1862.]  BATTLE   OF    FREDERICKSBURG.  l6'J 

The  cavalry  under  General  Bayard  was  drawn  up  in  rear  of 
the  grove  surrounding  the  fine  old  Bernard  mansion.  General 
Bayard  was  sitting  at  the  foot  of  a  tree,  waiting  for  orders,  and 
watching  the  advancing  columns  of  Meade  xmd  Gibbon.  There 
was  a  group  of  olTicers  around  General  Franklin.  Howe's 
and  Newton's  divisions  were  lying  down  to  avoid  the  Rebel 
shells,  hurled  from  the  heights  beyond  the  railroad.  All 
of  Fiinklin's  guns  were  in  play.  The  earth  shook  with  tlio 
deep  concussion.  Suddenly  the  Rebel  batteries  opened  with 
redoubled  fury.  A  shot  went  over  my  head,  a  second  fell  in 
front  of  my  horse,  and  ploughed  a  furrow  in  the  ground ;  a 
third  exploded  at  my  right,  a  fourth  w^ent  singing  along  the 
line  of  a  regiment  lying  prostrate  on  the  earth.  McCartney's, 
Williston's,  Ilexamer's,  Amsden's,  Cooper's,  Ransom's,  and  a 
dozen  other  batteries  were  replying.  Meade  was  driving  up 
the  hill.  AVounded  men  were  creeping,  crawling,  and  hobbling 
towards  the  hospital.  Some,  slightly  wounded,  were  uttering 
fearful  groans,  while  others,  made  of  sterner  stuff,  though  torn 
and  mangled,  bore  their  pains  without  a  murmur. 

A  soldier,  with  his  arms  around  the  necks  of  two  of  his  com 
rades,  was  being  brought  in.     "0  dear!  0  Lord!  my  foot  is 
torn  all  to  pieces ! "  he  cried. 

There  was  a  hole  in  the  too  of  his  boot  where  the  ball  had 
Entered. 

"  It  lias  gone  clear  through  to  the  heel,  and  smashed  all  the 
bones.  0  dear !  0  dear !  I  shall  have  to  have  it  cut  off!'' 
he  cried,  moaning  piteously  as  his  comrades  laid  him  upon  the 
ground  to  rest. 

"  Better  cut  off  your  boot  before  your  foot  swells." 

"Yes,  — do  so." 

I  slipped  my  knife  through  the  leather,  and  took  the  boot  from 
his  foot.  The  ball  had  passed  through  his  stocking.  There 
was  but  a  drop  or  two  of  blood  visible.  I  cut  off  the  stocking, 
and  the  bullet  was  lying  between  his  toes,  having  barely  broken 
the  skin. 

"  I  reckon  I  sha'n't  help  lug  you  any  farther,"  said  one  of 
the  men  who  had  borne  him. 

"  Wal,  if  I  had  known  that  it  was  n't  any  worse  than  that  1 
^'ould  n't  have  had  my  boot  cut  off,"  said  the  soldier. 


170  THE    BOYS    OF    '61.  [Dcc. 

Rotiirning  to  the  Bernard  mansion,  I  saw  a  commotion 
among  the  cavaliy,  and  learned  that  their  commander  was 
mortally  wounded.  lie  liad  been  struck  by  a  solid  shot  whilo 
sitting  by  the  tree  ;  and  they  were  bearing  him  to  the  hospital. 
Ho  was  a  bravo  and  gallant  officer. 

THE    ATTACK    ON    THE    RIGHT. 

Jiut  while  this  was  transpiring  on  the  left  there  was  a  terri 
blc  sacrifice  of  life  at  the  foot  of  Maryec's  Hill.  Soon  after 
noon  French's  and  Hancock's  divisions  of  the  Second  Corps, 
with  Sturgis's  division  of  the  Ninth,  advanced  over  the  open 
field  in  rear  of  the  town  to  attack  the  heights.  Officers  walked 
along  the  lines  giving  the  last  words.  "  Advance  and  drive 
them  out  with  the  bayonet !  "  were  the  orders. 

The  fifteen  thousand  in  a  compact  body  move  to  the  edge 
of  the  plateau.  The  hills  are  aflame.  All  of  Longstreet's  guns 
are  thundering.  Shells  burst  in  the  ranks.  The  Rebel  skir- 
mishers, concealed  in  the  houses  and  behind  fences,  fire  a  volley 
and  fall  back  to  the  main  line. 

Onward  move  the  divisions.  We  who  behold  them  from  the 
rear,  although  we  know  that  death  stands  ready  to  reap  an 
abundant  harvest,  feel  the  blood  rushhig  with  quickened  flow 
through  our  veins,  when  we  see  how  gallantly  they  move 
forward,  firing  no  shot  in  return. 

Now  a  sheet  of  flame  bursts  from  the  sunken  road,  and 
another  from  half-way  up  the  slope,  and  yet  another  from  the  top 
of  the  hill.  Hundreds  fall ;  but  still  on,  nearer  to  the  hill 
rolls  the  wave.  Still,  still  it  flows  on  ;  but  we  can  see  that  it  is 
losing  its  power,  and,  though  advancing,  it  will  be  broken.  It 
beghis  to  break.  It  is  no  longer  a  wave,  but  scattered  rem- 
nants, thrown  back  like  rifts  of  foam.  A  portion  of  Sturgis's 
division  reaches  the  liollow  in  front  of  the  hill  and  settles 
into  it. 

The  Eleventh  New  Hampshire,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Harriman,  is  in  the  front  line.  They  are  new  troops,  and  this 
is  their  first  battle ;  but  they  fight  so  gallantly  that  they  win 
the  admiration  of  their  general. 

''  See!"  said  Sturgis  to  an  old  regiment  which  quailed  before 
the  fire.  "  See  the  Eleventh  New  Hampshire!  a  new  regiment 
standing  like  posts  driven  into  the  ground." 


ISOL'.J  BATTLE   OF  FREL ERICKSBURO.  l71 

Hancock  and  French,  unable  to  find  any  shelter,  are  driven 
hack  upon  the  town.  The  attack  and  repulse  have  not  occupied 
nrtecn  minutes. 

It  is  a  sad  sight,  that  field  thickly  strown  with  dying  and 
dead  men.  But  in  battle  there  is  no  time  for  the  wringing  of 
hands  over  disaster.     The  bloody  work  must  go  on. 

Sturgis  is  in  the  hollow,  so  near  the  hill  that  the  Rebel 
batteries  on  the  crest  cannot  be  depressed  sufTicienlly  to  drive 
him  out.  lie  is  within  close  musket-shot  of  Cobb's  brigade, 
lying  behind  the  stone-wall  at  tlie  base  of  the  hill.  Sturgis's 
men  lie  down,  load  and  fire  deliberately,  watching  their  oppor- 
tunity to  i)ick  off  the  gunners  on  the  hill.  In  vain  are  all  the 
efforts  of  Longstrcct  to  dislodge  them.  Solid  shot,  shells,  can- 
ister, and  shrapnel  are  thrown  towards  the  hollow,  but  without 
avail.  A  solitary  oak-tree  near  is  torn  and  broken  by  the  artil- 
lery fire,  and  pitted  with  musket-balls,  and  the  ground  is  fur- 
rowed with  the  deadly  missiles  ;  but  the  men  keep  their  position 
through  the  weary  hours.  The  division  is  composed  of  two 
brigades,  —  Nagles's,  containing  the  Sixth  and  Ninth  New  Ilamp- 
shire.  Seventh  Rhode  Island,  Forty-Eighth  Pennsylvania,  and 
Second  Maryland ;  and  Fcrrero's,  containing  the  Twenty-First 
and  Thirty-Fifth  Massachusetts,  Eleventh  New  Hampshire, 
Fifty-First  Pennsylvania,  and  Fifty-First  New  York. 

A  second  attempt  is  made  upon  the  hill.  Ilumphrey's  divis- 
ion, composed  of  Tyler's  and  Briggs's  brigade  of  Pennsylvan- 
ians,  nearly  all  new  troops,  leads  the  advance,  followed  closely 
by  Morrell's  division  of  veterans.  The  lines  move  steadily 
over  the  field,  under  cover  of  the  batteries  Avhich  have  been 
brought  up  and  planted  in  the  streets.  Sturgis  pours  a  con 
stant  stream  of  fire  upon  the  sunken  road.  Thus  aided,  they 
reach  the  base  of  the  hill  in  front  of  Maryee's,  deliver  a  few 
volleys,  and  then  with  thinned  ranks  retire  once  more  to  the 
shelter  of  the  ridge. 

The  day  is  waning.  Franklin  has  failed.  lie  telegraphs 
that  it  is  too  late  to  make  another  attack  on  the  left.  Not  so 
does  Sumner  think  on  the  right.  lie  is  a  brave  old  man,  fear- 
less in  battle,  counting  human  life  of  little  value  if  victory  can 
be  won  by  its  sacrifice.  lie  walks  to  and  fro  by  the  Lacey 
House  like  a  chained  lion.      Burnside  will  not  let  him  cross 


172  THE   BOYS   OF    '61.  [Dcc. 

the  river.  Time  has  ploughed  deep  furrows  on  his  face.  Ilis 
hair  is  wliitc  as  tlic  driven  snow.  He  is  grim  and  gruff;  his 
voice  is  deep,  and  he  has  rough  words  for  those  wlio  falter  in 
duty  ;  hut  he  has  a  tender  heart.  lie  dotes  upon  his  son,  and 
calls  him  "Sammy"  familiarly.  lie  cannot  hear  to  have  liim 
gone  long  from  his  side,  hut  yet  is  ready  to  send  him  into  the 
thickest  of  the  fight.  He  cannot  see  the  day  lost  without 
another  struggle,  and  orders  a  third  attack. 

Humphrey,  Morrell,  Getty,  Sykes,  and  Howard,  or  portions 
of  their  divisions,  are  hrought  up.  The  troops  have  heen  under 
arms  from  early  daylight.  They  have  had  no  food.  All  day 
they  have  heen  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  Rehel  hattcrics,  and 
have  lost  heavily.  Brooks's  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  moves 
up  Deep  Run  to  engage  in  the  last  attack.  All  the  hattcrics 
on  hoth  sides  of  tlic  river  arc  once  more  hv'^nght  into  action. 
Getty  moves  up  Hazel  Run  to  take  the  Rehcls  in  flank,  wht 
arc  protected  hy  the  sunken  road  at  the  hasc  of  the  hill. 

THE    LAST    ATTACK. 

It  is  sunset.  The  troops  move  out  once  more  upon  the  open 
plain,  and  cross  the  field  with  a  cheer.  The  ground  he- 
neath  them  is  already  crimson  with  the  hlood  of  their  fallen 
comrades.  They  reach  the  hasc  of  the  hill.  Longstrect  hrings 
down  all  his  reserves.  The  hillside,  the  plain,  the  crest  of 
the  ridge,  the  groves  and  thickets,  the  second  range  of  hills 
heyond  Marycc's,  tlie  hollow,  the  sunken  road,  are  hriglit 
flashes.  Two  hundred  cannon  strike  out  fierce  defiance, — 
forty  thousand  muskets  and  rifles  flame! 

The  Rebels  are  driven  from  the  stone-walls,  and  the  sunken 
road,  and  the  rific-pit  midway  the  hill.  The  blue  wave  mounts 
all  but  to  tlie  top  of  the  crest.  It  threatens  to  overwhelm  the 
Rebel  batteries.  But  we  who  watch  it  behold  its  power  de- 
creasing. Men  begin  to  come  down  the  hill  singly  and  in 
squads,  and  at  length  in  masses.  Tlic  third  and  last  attempt 
has  failed.  The  divisions  return,  leaving  the  plain  and  the 
hillside  strown  witli  tliousands  of  brave  men  who  have  fallen 
hi  the  inefibctuAl  struggle. 

There  was  no  fighting  on  Sunday,  the  14th,  but  General 
Curnside  vas  ])re)jaring  to  make  another  attack.     He  had  eitrh 


1862,] 


BATTLE   OF   FREDERICKSBURG. 


IT! 


tccn  of  his  old  regimonts  in  the  Ninth  Corps,  who  would  go 
wherever  he  sent  them.  He  thought  that  they  would  carry 
the  heights. 

"  I  hope,"  said  General  Sumner,  "  that  you  will  desist  from 
an  attack.  I  do  not  know  of  any  general  officer  who  approves 
it,  and  I  think  it  will  prove  disastrous  to  the  army." 

Tlie  advice  was  followed,  and  it  was  then  decided  to  withdraw 
the  army. 

The  wind  on  Tuesday  night  blew  a  gale  from  the  southwest. 
Hay  and  straw  were  laid  upon  the  bridges  to  deaden  the  sound 
of  the  artillery  wheels.  It  began  to  rain  before  morning ;  and 
the  Rebels,  little  dreaming  of  what  was  taking  place,  remained 
m  their  quarters. 

Before  daylight  the  whole  army  had  recrossed  the  river,  and 
the  bridges  were  taken  up.  Great  were  their  amazement  and 
wonder  when  the  Rebels  looked  down  from  the  heights  and 
saw  the  Union  army  once  more  on  the  northern  bank,  beyond 
the  reach  of  their  guns. 

General  Burnsidc  lost  about  ten  thousand  men,  while  the  loss 
of  the  Rebels  was  about  five  thousand.  The  defeat  was  dis- 
heartening to  the  army.  But  though  repulsed,  the  soldiers  felt 
that  they  were  not  beaten ;  they  had  failed  because  General 
Bui'nside's  plans  had  not  been  heartily  entered  into  by  some  ol 
the  officers.  But  the  patriotic  flame  burned  as  brightly  ac 
over,  and  they  had  no  thought  of  giving  up  the  contest. 


-^yi^^ 


TATTOO. 


174  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  |^I>ec. 


CHAPTER    Xli. 

THE    WINTER    AT    FALMOUTH. 

Afteb  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  both  armies  prepared  for 
the  winter.  Two  great  cities  of  log-huts  sprang  up  in  the  dense 
forests  on  both  sides  of  the  Rappahannock,  peopled  by  more 
than  two  hundred  thousand  men.  It  was  surprising  to  see 
how  quickly  the  soldiers  made  themselves  comfortable  in  huts 
chinked  with  mud  and  roofed  with  split  shingles.  These  rude 
dwellings  had  a  fireplace  at  one  end,  doors  hung  on  leathern 
hinges,  and  bunks  one  above  another,  like  berths  in  a  steam* 
boat. 

There  the  men  told  stories,  played  checkers  and  cards,  read 
the  newspapers,  wrote  letters  to  their  friends  far  away,  and 
kept  close  watch  all  the  while  upon  the  Rebels. 

But  tliere  were  dark  days  and  dreary  nights.  It  tried  their 
endurance  and  patriotism  to  stand  all  niglit  upon  picket,  with 
the  nortli-wind  howling  around  them  and  the  snow  whirling 
into  drifts.  There  were  rainy  days,  and  weeks  of  mud,  when 
there  was  no  drilling,  and  when  there  was  nothing  to  do.  Then 
chaplains,  with  books  and  papers  under  their  arms,  were  wel- 
comed everywhere.  General  Howard  thus  bore  testimony  to 
the  labors  of  one  who  was  not  a  chaplain,  but  an  agent  of  the 
American  Tract  Society  from  Boston,  —  Rev.  Mr.  Alvord :  — 

''  There  is  a  great  and  good  man,  —  great  because  he  is  good  and 
because  he  is  practical,  —  who  has  followed  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
fiom  the  beginning.  He  takes  his  papers,  and  goes  himself  and  circu- 
lates them  as  far  as  he  is  able,  and,  by  the  agency  of  otliers,  gets  them 
into  nearly  every  regiment  in  the  army.  And  you  should  see  the 
soldiers  cluster  around  him  !  When  his  wagon  drives  up  in  front  of  a 
regiment,  the  soldiers  pour  out  with  life,  circle  round  him,  and  beg  for 
books  and  tracts,  —  for  anything  he  has.  Some  of  them  want  papers  to 
read  for  themselves,  and  others  to  select  pieces  out  of  them  to  send 
home.     1  could  hai  dly  believe  it,  that  there  was  such  eagerness  on  the 


THE    MAGIC    LANTERN    IN   THE    HOSPITAL. 


1862.]  THE  WINTER  AT  FALMOUTH.  176 

part  of  soldiers  for  such  reading  until  I  saw  it  with  my  own  eyes. 
*  Give  mc  a  paper,'  '  Give  me  a  paper,'  *  Give  me  a  tract,'  *  Give  me  a 
book,'  \3  the  impatient  cry.  Very  frequently  ladies  have  sent  tracts 
and  books  to  my  tent,  and  on  the  Sabbath-day  I  have  taken  them  myself 
to  distribute,  and  I  have  scarcely  ever  had  to  ask  a  soldier  to  receive 
one  of  them.  Indeed,  if  you  give  to  one  or  two,  the  others  will  feel 
jealous  if  neglected."  * 

Said  a  cliaplain  :  — 

"  I  am  besieged  by  those  who  want  something  good  to  read.  In  my 
rounds  I  am  followed  at  my  elbow.  '  Please,  sir,  can  you  spare  me 
one  ?  *  They  hail  me  from  a  distance :  *  Are  you  coming  down  this 
way,  chaplain  ? '  It  is  a  pleasant  thing  to  pause  in  these  travels  through 
the  parish  and  look  back  upon  the  white  waves  that  rise  in  the  wake  of 
one's  course.  Sports  are  hushed,  swearing  is  charmed  away,  all  are 
reading,  —  Sabbath  has  come." 

In  some  regiments,  where  the  officers  co-operated  with  chap- 
lains to  elevate  the  morals  of  men,  few  oaths  were  heard. 

One  day  General  Howard  started  out  with  a  handful  of 
leaflets  on  swearing,  with  the  intention  of  giving  one  to  every 
man  whom  he  heard  using  profane  language.  He  went  from 
regiment  to  regiment  and  from  brigade  to  brigade  of  his  division, 
and  returned  to  liiy  tent  without  hearing  an  oath. 

"  I  have  been  all  through  my  division  to-day,"  he  said, 
**  visiting  the  hospitals,  and  I  have  n't  heard  a  single  man 
swear.     Isn't  it  strauG^e?" 

One  of  the  citizens  of  Falmouth  came  to  General  HowJirHJfdr; 
a  guard.  '"   '      " 

"  You  favored  secession,  I  suppose,"  said  the  General. ,  •      ■  '■ 
"  I  stuck  for  the  Union  till  Virginia  went  out  of  the  Uiilou 
I  had  to  go  with  her." 

"  You  have  a  son  in  the  Rebel  army." 
"  Yes,  sir ;  but  he  enlisted  of  his  own  accord." 
"  The  soldiers  steal  your  chickens,  you  say  ?  " 
"  Yes,  they  take  everything  they  can  lay  their  hands  upon, 
and  I  want  a  guard  to  protect  my  property." 

"  If  you  and  all  your  neighbors  had  voted  against  seces- 
sion, you  would  not  need  a  guard.     No,  sir,  you  can't  have 


General  Howard's  Address  at  Washington. 


176  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec. 

one.  When  you  have  given  as  much  to  your  country  as  I 
have  I  will  give  you  one,  but  not  till  then,"  said  the  Gen 
eral,  pointing  to  his  empty  sleeve.  He  lost  his  right  arm  at 
Fair  Oaks. 

It  was  a  gloomy  winter,  but  the  Sanitary  and  Christian 
Commissions  gave  their  powerful  aid  towards  maintaining 
the  health  and  morals  and  spirits  of  the  army.  The  Christian 
Commission  opened  six  stations,  from  which  they  dispensed 
supplies  of  books  and  papers  and  food  for  the  sick,  not  regu- 
larly furnislied  by  the  medical  department.  Religious  meetr 
ings  were  held  nightly,  conducted  by  the  soldiers,  marked  by 
deep  solemnity.  Veterans  who  had  passed  through  all  the 
trials  and  temptations  of  a  soldier's  life  gave  testimony  of  the 
peace  and  joy  they  had  in  believing  in  Jesus.  Others  asked 
what  they  should  do  to  obtain  the  same  comfort.  Many  who 
had  faced  death  unflinchingly  at  Williamsburg,  Fair  Oaks, 
Malvern,  and  Antietam,  who  had  been  ever  indifferent  to  the 
claim  of  religion,  became  like  little  children  as  they  listened 
to  their  comrades  singing, 

"  Rock  of  Ages,  cleft  for  me, 
Let  me  hide  myself  in  thee." 

It  was  not  sentimentalism.  A  soldier  who  has  been  through 
a  half-dozen  battles  is  the  last  person  in  the  world  to  indulge 
in  sentiment.  He  above  all  men  understands  reality.  Thus  led 
by  the  sweet  music  and  the  fervent  prayers  of  their  comrades, 
t>iey  rejoiced  in  the  hope  that  chey  had  found  forgiveness  of 
Bins  through  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God. 
;  At  Falmouth,  an  old  tobacco-warehouse  on  the  bank  of  the 
ritei*,  within  hail  of  the  Rebel  pickets,  was  cleared  of  rubbish, 
the  broken  ceiling  and  windows  covered  with  canvas,  a  rude 
pulpit  erected,  where  on  Sabbath  afternoons  and  every  evening 
meetings  were  held,  a  Sabbath  school  was  organized,  also  a 
day  school.  One  of  the  soldiers  established  a  school  for  the 
instruction  of  the  children  of  the  village.  Often  in  the  calm  twi- 
light of  the  mild  winter  days  the  Rebel  picket  pacing  his  beat 
upon  the  opposite  bank  stopped,  and  leaning  upon  his  gun, 
listened  to  the  hymns  of  devotion  wafted  on  the  evening  air. 
He  could  have  sent  a  bullet  whistling  through  the  building, 


THE  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION  IN  THE   FIELD. 


18(52.]  THE  WINTER   AT   FALMOUTH.  177 

but  there  was  a  mutual  understanding  among  the  pickets  not 
to  fire,  and  so  the  meetings  were  undisturbed. 

In  tlie  Forty-Fourth  Now  York  Regiment,  known  as  the 
Ellsworth  Avengers,  were  two  young  soldiers  whose  hearts 
wci-e  woven  together  with  Christian  2eal.  They  had  no  chap- 
lain ;  but  they  established  a  prayer-meeting,  holding  it  bcsido 
a  stump,  in  a  retired  place.  They  obtained  permission  of  the 
colonel  to  build  a  log  chapel.  They  had  to  draw  the  logs  a 
mile,  but  they  had  faith  and  energy,  and  laid  out  a  building 
sixteen  by  thirty-two  feet  square.  Rev.  Mr.  Alvord,  the  agent 
of  a  Tract  Society,  gives  the  following  account  of  their  labors. 

"  The  first  logs  were  heavy,  and  hardly  any  one  to  help.  Their  plan 
at  first  was  not  very  definite.  They  would  lay  down  a  log  and  then  look 
and  plan  by  the  eye.  Another  log  was  wearily  drawn  and  put  on  The 
crowd  came  round  to  quiz  and  joke.  *  Are  you  to  have  it  finislwjd  be- 
fore the  world  ends  ? '  *  Fixing  up  to  leave  ? '  *  How  does  your  saloon 
get  on  ? '  The  more  serious,  in  pity,  tried  to  discourage.  Thwe  was 
*  already  an  order  out  to  move  ;  what  *s  the  use  ?*  '  Who  wants  meet- 
ings ?'  But  these  two  Cliristian  boys  (S.  and  L.)  toiled  on  lik«  Noah, 
amidst  the  scoffs  of  the  multitude.  The  edifice  slowly  rose;  volunteers 
lent  a  hand.  The  Christian  men  of  the  regiment  became  interested. 
(There  were  forty  or  fifty  in  all,  eighteen  or  twenty  of  whom  at  length 
aided  in  the  work.)  A  sufficient  height  was  reached,  and  fiiot  a  roof 
of  brusli,  and  afterwards  of  patched  ponchos,  was  put  on,  and  meetings 
began,  —  or  rather  they  began  when  it  was  only  an  open  pen.  In  a 
few  days  Burnside's  advance  came,  and  the  regiment  left  for  the  field. 
In  their  absence,  plunderers  stri[)ped  the  cabin,  and  carried  oflf  a  por- 
tion of  its  material ;  but  on  the  return  of  our  troops  the  name  busy 
hands  and  hearts  of  faith  were  again  at  work.  A  sutler  gave  them 
the  old  canvas  cover  of  his  large  tent,  which  he  was  about  to  cut  up 
to  shelter  his  horses  witli,  and  lo,  \i  precisely  fitted  the  roof  of  the  meet- 
ing-! louse,  —  not  an  iuch  to  spare  ! 

"  Well,  there  it  stands,  to  his  glory  and  the  credit  of  their  persever- 
ance. (It  took  about  one  hundred  logs  to  build  it.)  You  should  have 
seen  their  eyes  shine,  as,  here  in  my  tent  for  tracts,  they  were  one  day 
giving  me  its  history,  and  you  should  have  been  with  us  last  evening. 
The  little  pulpit  made  of  empty  box  boards,  two  chandeliers  suspended 
from  the  ridge-pole  of  cross-sticks,  wreathed  with  ivy,  and  in  the  sock- 
eted ends  four  adamant  candles,  each  burning  brilliantly.  Festoons 
of  ivy  and  '  dead  men's  fingers  *  (a  species  of  woodbine  called  by  this 
name),  looped  gracefully  along  the  sides  of  the  room,  and  in  the  centre 
12 


178 


THE    BOYS    OF    '61. 


[Dec. 


from  chandelier  to  chandelier,  —  their  deep  green,  with  the  line  browD 
bark  of  the  pine  logs,  and  white  canvas  above,  striped  with  its  rafters, 
sweetly  contrasting.  Below,  a  perfect  pack  of  soldiers,  in  the  *  Aveng- 
ers" uniform,  squatted  low  upon  the  pole  seats,  beneath  which  was  a 
carpet  of  evergreen  sprays„ —  all  silent,  uncovered,  t-espectful ;  as  the 
service  opened,  you  could  have  heard  a  pin  fall.  There  was  nothing 
here  to  make  a  noise.  Pew-doors,  psalm-books,  rustling  silks,  or 
groined  arches  reverberating  the  slightest  sound  of  hand  or  footfall, 
there  were  none.  Only  the  click  of  that  wooden  latch,  and  a  gliding 
figure,  like  a  stealthy  vidette,  squeezing  in  among  the  common  mass, 
indicated  the  late  comer.  The  song  went  up  from  the  deep  voices  of 
men,  —  do  you  know  the  effect  ?  —  and  before  our  service  closed,  tears 
rolled  down  from  the  faces  of  men.  To  be  short,  every  evening  of 
the  week  this  house  is  now  filled  with  some  service,  four  of  which  are 
religious.  When  they  can  have  no  preaching,  these  soldiers  meet  for 
prayer. 

"  I  stole  in  one  evening,  lately,  when  they  were  at  these  devotions ; 
prayer  after  prayer  successively  «9as  offered,  in  earnest,  humblest  tones, 
before  rising  from  their  knees  ;  the  impenitent  looking  on  solemnly. 
Officers  were  present  and  took  part,  and  seldom  have  I  seen  such  mani- 
fest tokens  that  God  is  about  to  appear  in  power.  Opposition  there  is 
none.  The  whole  regiment  looks  upon  the  house  now  as  a  matter  of 
pride,  —  encourage  all  the  meetings.  It  is  attractive  to  visitors,  and, 
when  not  used  for  religious  purposes,  is  occupied  by  lyceum  debates, 
singing  clubs,  &c.,  &c.  How  those  two  Christian  boys  do  enjoy  it  I 
Said  one  of  them  to  me,  '  We  have  been  paid  for  all  our  labor  a  thou- 
sand times  over.' " 

Thus,  fighting,  marching,  singing,  praying,  teaching  the  igno- 
rant, trusting  in  God,  never  wavering  in  their  faith  of  the  ulti- 
mate triumph  of  right,  they  passed  the  Tveary  winter. 


1863.]  CHANCELLORSVILLE.  179 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

CHANCELLORSVILLE. 

General  Burnside  having  accepted  the  command  of  the  army . 
with  reluctance,  was  relieved  at  his  own  request,  and  General 
Hooker  was  appointed  his  successor.  He  made  a  thorough 
reorganization.  The  system  of  grand  divisions  was  abolished, 
and  the  corps  organization  adopted.  The  First  Corps  was  com- 
manded by  General  Sickles,  the  Fifth  by  General  Meade,  the 
Sixth  by  General  Sedgwick,  the  Eleventh  by  General  Howard, 
and  the  Twelfth  by  General  Slocum.  The  cavalry  was  consoli 
dated  into  a  single  corps,  under  General  Stoneman.  General 
Hooker  intended  to  use  the  cavalry  as  it  had  not  been  used 
up  to  that  time. 

The  vigor  manifested  by  General  Hooker  in  the  reorganiza 
tion,  and  the  confidence  of  the  soldiers  in  him  as  a  commander, 
gave  new  hope  to  the  army.  He  reduced  the  number  of  wag 
ons  in  the  trains,  and  informed  the  ofiicers  that  they  would  be 
allowed  only  a  limited  amount  of  baggage.  He  issued  orders 
that  the  troops  should  have  rations  of  fresh  bread,  cabbages, 
and  onions,  in  abundance.  Merit  was  commended.  Officers 
and  men  who  had  proved  themselves  efficient  were  allowed 
leave  of  absence,  before  the  opening  of  the  spring  campaign. 
Regiments  which  had  shown  incapacity  and  loose  discipline 
were  allowed  no  favors.  Only  eleven  regiments  in  the  whole 
army  were  highly  commended.  Some  were  severely  censured 
as  wanting  those  qualities  which  make  a  good  regiment.  This 
administration  of  aflairs  soon  produced  a  perceptible  change  in 
the  spirits  of  the  men. 

There  were  frequent  rains,  which  prevented  any  movement 
during  the  winter  ;  but  General  Hooker  was  not  idle.  He  was 
obtaining  information,  from  scouts  and  spies,  of  Lee's  position 
and  the  number  of  his  troops.  He  kept  his  designs  so  well  to 
hiihself  that  even  his  most  trusted  officers  were  not  awaro  of 


180  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [April, 

tlicin.  But  his  plan  embraced  tlircc  features  :  a  cavalry  move- 
ment under  Stoneman  towards  Richmond,  from  the  Upper  llap- 
pahannock,  to  destroy  Lee's  communications,  biirning  bridges 
and  supplies  ;  the  deploy  of  a  portion  of  the  army  down  tho 
river  to  attract  Lee's  attention;  and,  lastly,  a  sudden  march  of 
the  main  body  up  the  river,  to  gain  a  position  near  Chanccllors- 
ville,  southwest  of  Fredericksburg,  which  would  compel  Leo 
to  come  out  and  fight,  or  evacuate  the  place.  If  he  gained  the 
position,  he  could  stand  on  the  defensive  and  wait  Lee's  move- 
ments,    lie  decided  that  Lee  should  be  the  attacking  party. 

Lee  had  scut  two  divisions  of  Longstreet's  corps  under  that 
officer  to  North  Carolina,  and  Hampton's  cavalry  was  recruiting 
south  of  the  James  River.  It  was  a  favorable  opportunity  to 
strike  a  heavy  blow. 

On  the  27th  of  April  the  Eleventh  Corps,  under  Iloward,  and 
the  Twelftli,  under  Slocum,  at  half  past  five  in  the  morning 
started  for  Kcllcy's  Ford  by  the  Ilartwood  Ciuirch  road. 

The  Third,  under  Sickles,  and  the  Fifth,  under  Meade,  moved 
at  the  same  time,  by  a  road  nearer  the  river,  in  the  same  direc- 
tion. The  Second,  under  Couch,  went  towards  United  States 
Ford,  which  is  only  three  miles  from  Chancellorsvillc.  A  dense 
fog  hung  over  the  river,  concealing  the  movement.  Tho  Elev- 
enth, Twelfth,  and  Fifth  Corps  marched  fourteen  miles  during 
the  day,  and  bivouacked  at  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a  mile 
west  of  Ilartwood  Church.  To  Lee,  who  looked  across  the 
river  from  Fredericksburg,  there  was  no  change  in  llie  appear- 
ance of  things  on  the  Stafford  hills.  The  camps  of  tlie  Yankees 
were  still  there,  dotting  the  landscape,  teams  were  moving  to 
and  fro,  soldiers  were  at  drill,  and  the  smoke  of  cam|>fircs  was 
curling  through  the  air. 

During  the  evening  of  the  27th  the  pontoons  belonging 
to  the  Sixtli  Corps  were  taken  from  the  wagons,  carried  by 
the  soldiers  down  to  the  river,  and  put  into  the  water  so  noise- 
lessly that  the  Rebel  pickets  stationed  on  tho  bank  near  lier- 
nard's  house  had  no  suspicion  of  what  was  going  on.  The 
boats  were  manned  by  Russell's  brigade.  At  a  given  signal 
they  were  puslicd  rapidly  across  the  stream,  and,  before  tho 
Rebel  pickets  were  aware  of  the  movement,  they  found  thcm- 
Bclves  prisoners.     The  First  Corps  went  a  mile  farther  down,  to 


i»(i3.J  CHANCELLORSVILLE.  181 

SoiUlificld.  It  was  dayliglit  before  the  engineers  of  this  corps 
couUl  get  tlieir  boats  into  the  water.  The  Rebel  sharpshooters 
who  Avcre  lying  in  rifle-pits  along  the  bank  commenced  a 
deadly  fire.  To  silence  them,  Colonel  Warner  placed  forty  pieces 
of  artillery  on  the  high  bank  overlooking  the  river,  under  cover 
of  which  the  boats  crossed,  and  the  soldiers,  leaping  ashore, 
charged  up  the  bank  and  captured  one  hundred  and  fifty  Reb- 
els. The  engineers  in  a  short  time  had  both  bridges  complet- 
ed. General  Wadsworth's  division  of  the  First  Corps  was  the 
first  to  cross  the  lower  bridge.  General  Wadsworth  '  ad  be- 
come impatient,  and,  instead  of  waiting  for  the  complcaon  of  the 
ttnictui-e,  swam  his  liorse  across  the  stream.  General  Brooks, 
of  tlie  Sixtli  Corps,  was  tlie  first  to  cross  the  bridge  at  Bernard's. 

It  was  now  five  o'clock  in  the  mornmg.  There  was  great 
commotion  in  Fredericksburg.  A  courier  dashed  into  town  on 
horseback,  sliouting,  "  The  Yankees  are  crossing  down  tho 
river."*  The  church-bells  were  rung.  Tho  people  who  had 
retmncd  to  the  town  after  the  battle  of  the  13th  of  December 
sprang  from  their  beds.  They  went  out  and  stood  upon  Mar- 
ycc's  Hill,  looked  across  the  river,  and  saw  the  country  alive 
with  troops. 

"All  through  tho  day,"  wrote  the  correspondent  of  the 
RicVimond  Examiner^  "  the  Yankee  balloons  were  in  the  air  at 
a  great  height,  and  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  as  far  as  tho 
eye  could  reach,  Avas  blue  with  their  crowded  columns."  f 

The  drummers  beat  the  long-roll.  "Fall  in!  ^all  in!"  was 
the  ci-y,  and  the  whole  army  was  quickly  under  arms.  Tho 
movement  was  a  surprise  to  General  Lee. 

The  crossing  of  the  First  and  Sixth  Corps  was  slow  and  do- 
liberate.  "They  conthuied  to  cross,"  says  tho  same  writer, 
"luitil  two  o'clock  P.  M.,  —  infantry,  artillery,  and  wagons. 
They  swarmed  irregularly  over  the  fields  and  bluils,  of  which 
they  had  taken  possession,  seeming  not  to  have  fallen  into 
ranks.  About  five  P.  M.  a  light  rain  commenced,  when  they 
pitched  their  tents,  and  seemed  to  make  themselves  at  home." 

In  order  to  deceive  General  Lee,  only  Wadsworth's  and 
Biooks's  divisions  were  sent  over  in  the  forenoon;  but  portions 

♦  Letter  to  Kiclmioncl  Examiner.  t  Richmond  Examiner,  May  1st  18€.'* 


182  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [April, 

of  the  other  divisions,  which  had  been  concealed  behind  a  belt 
of  woods,  were  put  in  motion,  and  marched  along  the  crest  of 
the  ridge,  through  an  open  field,  in  sight  of  the  Rebels,  as 
though  on  their  way  down  the  river ;  but,  instead  of  crossing, 
were  marched  up  through  a  gully  around  the  hill  to  their  start- 
ing-point, and  were  again  moved  over  the  same  ground,  —  a 
circus-march,  calculated  to  deceive  the  Rebels  into  thinking 
that  the  whole  army  was  moving  in  that  direction.  A  part 
of  Jackson's  corps  had  been  lying  at  Shinker's  Neck,  several 
miles  below  Fredericksburg,  which  Lee  ordered  to  Hamilton's 
crossing,  occupying  the  same  position  that  it  held  in  the  first 
battle. 

It  was  night  before  the  remainder  of  the  Sixth  Corps  crosseu 
the  stream,  while  the  other  two  divisions  of  the  First  Corps 
still  remained  on  the  northern  bank.  Lee  could  not  compre- 
hend this  new  state  of  affairs.  The  night  of  the  28th  passed, 
and  no  advance  was  made  by  the  Sixth  Corps.  The  morning  of 
the  29th  saw  them  in  the  same  position,  evidently  in  no  haste 
to  make  an  attack. 

Meanwhile  the  main  body  of  the  army  was  making  a  rapid 
march  up  the  river.  The  Eleventh  Corps  reached  Kelley's  Ford, 
twenty-eiglit  miles  above  Falmouth,  at  half  past  four  in  the 
afternoon.  The  pontoons  arrived  at  six  o'clock.  Four  hun- 
dred men  went  over  in  the  boats,  and  seized  the  Rebel  rifle-pits, 
capturing  a  few  prisoners,  who  were  stationed  there  to  guard 
the  Ford.  As  soon  as  the  bridge  was  completed,  the  troops 
began  to  cross.  The  Seventeenth  Pennsylvania  cavalry  preced- 
ed the  inlantry,  pushed  out  on  the  road  leading  to  Culpepper, 
and  encountered  a  detachment  of  Stuart's  cavalry. 

On  the  morning  of  the  29th,  the  Twelfth  Corps,  followed  by 
the  Eleventh,  made  a  rapid  march  to  Germanna  Ford,  on  the 
Rapidan,  while  the  Fifth  Corps  took  the  road  leading  to  Ely's 
Ford.  When  the  Twelfth  Corps  arrived  at  Germanna  Ford  at 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  Rebels  were  discovered  build- 
ing a  bridge.  About  one  hundred  of  them  were  taken  pris- 
oners. Instead  of  waiting  for  the  pontoons  to  be  laid,  the 
Twelfth  forded  the  stream,  which  was  deep  and  swift ;  but  tlie 
men  held  tlicir  cartridge-boxes  over  their  heads,  and  thus  kept 
their  powder  dry. 


1863.]  CHANCELLORS  VILLE.  183 

It  was  not  till  the  afternoon  of  the  29tli  that  Lee  understood 
Hooker's  movement.  At  sunsec  Stuart  reported  that  a  heavy 
column  of  Yankees  was  crossing  the  Germanna  Ford,  that  there 
was  another  at  Ely's,  and  still  another  at  United  States  Ford. 
Lee  saw  that  the  routes,  after  crossing  the  Rapidan,  converged 
near  Chancellor sville,  from  whence  several  roads  led  to  the  rear 
of  his  position  at  Fredericksburg. 

On  the  morning  of  the  30th,  Hooker's  army  was  in  the  fol- 
lowing position  :  The  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps  at  Germanna 
Ford,  moving  southeast ;  the  Fifth  Corps  at  Ely's  Ford,  moving 
south :  the  Second  Corps,  followed  by  the  Third,  a1  United 
States  Ford,  marching  southwest;  the  First  Corps  passing  up 
the  river  from  its  position  below  Fredericksburg,  making  a 
rapid  march  to  join  the  Second  Corps  at  United  States  Ford ; 
the  Sixth  Corps,  meanwhile,  lying  inactive  on  the  plain  by  Ber- 
nard's house. 

Tiie  movement  was  admirably  made,  each  corps  coming  into 
position  at  the  appointed  place  and  time,  showing  that  the  plan 
had  been  well  matured  in  the  mind  of  the  commander-in-cliief. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  30th  the  Eleventh  Corps,  fol- 
lowed by  the  Twelfth,  m^oved  from  Germanna  Ford  down  the 
Steven sburg  plank-road  to  the  Old  Wilderness  Tavern,  which  is 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  west  of  Chancellorsville.  The  latter 
place,  at  the  time  of  the  battle,  consisted  of  one  brick  house. 
The  country  around  Chancellorsville  is  called  "  the  Wilder- 
ness." Years  ago  a  considerable  portion  of  the  land  was 
cleared,  but  the  system  of  cultivation  carried  on  by  the  Vir- 
ginians quickly  exhausted  the  soil,  and  the  fields  were  left  to 
grow  up  again  to  bushes.  A  short  distance  beyond  the  old 
tavern  is  Dowdal's  Tavern,  ntar  the  junction  of  the  Stevensburg 
plank-road,  and  the  Orange  turnpike,  leading  to  Gordonsville. 
Hunting  Run  has  its  head-waters  near  the  Stevensburg  plank- 
road,  and  flows  north  to  the  Rapidan.  There  is  an  old  saw-mill 
on  the  creek,  which  was  used  as  a  hospital  by  the  Twelfth 
Corps  during  the  battle.  Near  Dowdal's  tavern  is  an  old 
church,  and  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  road,  as  we  go  to- 
ward Chancellorsville  from  Dowdal's,  there  is  a  cleared  field 
on  elevated  land,  which  was  the  centre  of  Hooker's  line  at  the 
begimiing  of  the  battle.     Several  roads  diverge  from  Chancel- 


184  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [April, 

lorsvillc,  —  the  Orange  and  Fredericksburg  plank-road  and  tho 
Gordonsville  turnpike,  both  leading  to  Fredericksburg  ;  also 
roads  to  United  States  and  Ely's  Fords;  also  one  leading  south 
across  Scott's  llun. 

At  noon  of  the  30th  the  Eleventh  Corps  reached  its  assigned 
position,  between  the  Germanna  road  and  Dowdal's  tavern, 
forming  the  riglit  flank  of  Hooker's  line.  Tho  Third  Corps, 
which  had  crossed  at  Ely's  Ford,  came  down  througli  the  woods 
across  Hunting  llun,  and  formed  on  the  left  of  the  Eleventh, 
by  the  tavern.  Tiie  Twelfth  Cori)s  filed  past  the  Eleventh, 
along  tlie  Stevensburg  road,  and  the  Third  Corps  passed  Chan- 
cellorsville,  and  moved  almost  to  Tabernacle  Churcb,  on  tho 
Orange  and  Fredericksburg  plank-road.  The  Second  Corps, 
having  crossed  at  Ujiited  States  Ford,  came  into  position  a  mile 
or  more  in  rear  of  the  Eleventh  and  Third,  while  the  Fifth 
moved  up  and  formed  a  line  facing  southeast,  reaching  from 
Chancellorsville  to  Scott's  Dam  on  the  Rappahannock,  a  milo 
and  a  half  north  of  Chancellorsville. 

Stuart,  conunanding  the  Rebel  cavalry,  had  skirmished  with 
the  Eleventh  Corps  on  its  march,  but  when  the  Third,  which 
crossed  at  Ely's,  reached  Chancellorsville,  Stuart  found  that  ho 
was  cut  o(T  from  direct  communication  with  Lee,  and  was  obliged 
to  move  to  Todd's  Tavern  and  Spottsylvania  Court-IJouse,  to 
put  himself  in  connection  with  the  infantry  of  the  Rebel  army. 
Lee  was  still  undecided  what  to  do,  but  finally  determined  to 
leave  Early's  division  of  Jackson's  corps,  and  Barksdale's 
brigade  of  ^fcLaw's  division,  and  a  ])art  of  the  reserve  artil- 
lery under  Pendleton,  to  hold  Fredericksburg,  and  move  with 
the  rest  of  the  army  to  Chancellorsville  and  fight  Hooker.  Uo 
had  already  sent  Anderson's  division  to  watch  the  movement. 
Slocum's  skirmishers  met  Anderson's  at  Chancellorsville  and 
drove  them  back  to  Tabernacle  Church.  Anderson,  finding 
that  Slocuin  was  advancing,  formed  across  the  roads,  and  was 
in  this  position  at  dark  on  the  night  of  the  30th. 

On  tlie  morning  of  the  1st  of  May  the  whole  Rebel  army, 
except  what  was  left  to  watch  Sedgwick,  was  put  in  motion, 
with  the  intention  of  making  a  direct  attack.  Anderson  ad- 
vanced upon  Slocum,  who  fell  back  under  instructions  to  Chan- 
cellorsville, and  lillcd   the  gap  between  the  Third  and  Fifth. 


1863.]  OHANCELLORSVILLE,  185 

Lee  followed,  intending  to  give  battle,  but  he  found  Hooker  in 
a  position  of  such  strength  that  he  hesitated.     Lee  says :  — 

"  The  enemy  had  assumed  a  position  of  great  natural  strength,  sur- 
rounded on  all  sides  by  a  dense  forest,  filled  with  tangled  undergrowth, 
in  the  midst  of  which  breastworks  of  logs  had  been  constructed,  with 
trees  felled  in  front  so  as  to  form  an  impenetrable  abatis.  His  artUlery 
swept  the  few  narrow  roads  by  which  his  position  could  be  approached 
from  the  front,  and  commanded  the  adjacent  woods.  The  left  of  his 
line  extended  from  Chancellorsville  towards  the  Rappahannock,  cover- 
ing the  Bark-Mill  Ford,  where  he  communicated  with  the  north  bank 
of  the  river  by  a  pontoon  bridge.  His  right  stretched  westward  along 
the  Germanna  road  more  than  two  miles. 

"  Darkness  was  approaching  before  the  extent  and  strength  of  his 
lines  could  be  ascertained,  and,  as  the  nature  of  the  country  rendered  it 
hazardous  to  attack  by  night,  our  troops  were  halted,  and  formed  in 
line  of  battle  in  front  of  Chancellorsville,  at  right  angles  to  the  plank- 
road It  was  evident  that  a  direct  attack  upon  the  enemy  would 

be  attended  with  great  difficulty  and  loss,  in  view  of  the  strength  of  his 
Dosition  and  his  superiority  in  numbers.  It  was  therefore  resolved  to 
endeavor  to  turn  his  right  flank,  and  gain  his  rear,  leaving  a  force  in 
front  to  hold  him  in  check,  and  conceal  the  movement.  The  execution 
of  this  plan  was  intrusted  to  Lieutenant- General  Jackson,  with  his 
three  divisions." 

This  movement  of  Lee's  was  very  bold  and  hazardous.  It 
divided  his  army  into  three  parts,  —  one  part  watching  the 
Sixth  Corps  at  Fredericksburg,  another  between  Chancellors- 
ville and  Fredericksburg,  and  the  force  under  Jackson,  accom- 
panied by  Stuart's  cavalry,  moving  to  get  in  the  rear  of  Hooker. 
Jackson  was  obliged  to  make  a  long  circuit  by  Todd's  Tavern 
and  the  Furnace  Road,  moving  first  southwest  toward  Spottsyl- 
vania,  then  west  toward  Orange  Court-House,  then  north 
toward  the  Rapidan,  then  east  toward  the  old  saw-mill  on 
Hunting  Run.  Rodes's  division  reached  the  Old  Wilderness 
Tavern  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  As  the  different 
divisions  arrived  they  were  formed  across  the  Stevensburg  plank- 
road,  Rodes  in  front,  Trimble's  division  under  General  Cols- 
ton in  the  second,  and  A.  P.  Hill  in  the  third  line. 

General  Hooker,  having  decided  to  fight  a  defensive  battle, 
ordered  the  construction  of  rifle-pits,  and  while  Jackson  was 
making  this  detour  the  position  was  strongly  fortified  against 


186  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

an  attack  from  the  direction  of  Fredericksburg.  Early  in  the 
day  it  was  reported  that  Lee  was  retreating  rapidly  toward  Cul- 
pepper Court-House.  From  the  cleared  field  occupied  by 
Sickles  the  Rebel  column  could  be  seen  moving  southwest,  — 
artillery,  baggage-train,  and  infantry.  It  was  generally  believed 
in  Hooker's  army  that  Lee,  finding  the  position  too  impregnable, 
was  retiring.     Sickles  and  Howard  thought  differently. 

"  Lee  has  divided  his  army,  and  now  is  the  time  to  strike," 
said  General  Sickles  to  Hooker. 

General  Hooker  hesitated.  His  plan  was  to  stand  wholly 
on  the  defensive.     Still  the  column  filed  by. 

"The  enemy  is  on  my  flank,"  was  the  message  from 
Howard.  "  We  can  hear  the  sound  of  their  axes  in  the 
woods."  * 

"  Now  is  the  time  to  double  up  Lee,"  said  Sickles,  again 
urging  an  attack. f 

"  You  may  go  out  and  feel  the  enemy,  but  don't  go  too  fast, 
_ior  too  far,"  said  Hooker,  at  last  yielding. 

It  is  nearly  two  miles  southwest  from  Chancellorsville  to 
Wellford's  iron  furnace,  which  is  situated  on  the  Ny  River,  the 
north  branch  of  the  Mattapony.  The  road  which  passes  the 
furnace,  and  along  which  Jackson  was  hastening,  is  a  byroad 
from  the  plank-road  east  of  Chancellorsville,  to  the  Brock  Road, 
which  runs  from  Todd's  Tavern  northwest  to  the  Old  Wilder- 
ness Tavern.  Archer's  and  Thomas's  brigades  of  A.  P.  Hill's 
division  were  at  the  furnace  when  Sickles  received  permission  to 
move  out.  They  were  the  rear  brigades  of  Jackson's  column. 
Sickles  lost  no  time  in  putting  his  divisions  in  motion.  Ber- 
dan's  sharpshooters  were  thrown  out  in  advance  as  skirmishers, 
and  the  infantry  with  artillery  followed ;  but  the  artillery  was 
compelled  to  halt  till  a  bridge  could  be  constructed  across  a 
small  creek.  It  was  about  four  o'clock  when  the  head  of  the 
column  reached  the  road  over  which  Jackson  had  marched. 
Archer  was  nearly  a  mile  west  of  the  furnace  when  the  sharp- 
shooters reached  the  road,  where  they  suddenly  fell  upon  the 
Twenty-Thii'd  Georgia.  This  regiment  had  been  detached  from 
Colquitt's  brigade  of  D.  H.  Hill's  division,  and  was  posted  od 


•  Howard's  Report.  t  General  Sickles's  statement. 


1863.]  CHANCELLORS  VILLE.  187 

the  north  side  of  the  road,  as  a  flanking  party,  to  cover  the 
march  of  the  troops. 

There  was  a  sudden  commotion  in  Archer's  and  Thomas's 
brigades.  Brown's  battery  was  wheeled  into  position,  and,  with 
the  Twenty-Third  Georgia  and  Fourteenth  Tennessee,  opened 
fire  upon  Sickles.  The  teamsters  of  the  Rebel  baggage-trains 
fled  into  the  woods. 

A  courier  dashed  up  the  road  to  inform  Archer  what  had 
happened,  but  before  the  news  reached  him  the  Twenty-Third 
Georgia  was  in  the  hands  of  Sickles.  Archer  faced  about, 
and  formed  his  lines. 

Anderson  all  the  while  was  skirmishing  with  Slocum,  to 
attract  Hooker's  attention,  while  Jackson  was  getting  into 
position,  but  he  was  now  obliged  to  send  Wright,  Posey,  and  Ma- 
han  to  the  assistance  of  Archer  and  Thomas.  They  attacked 
Sickles's  left  flank,  while  Archer  and  Thomas  attacked  his 
right.     The  contest  waxed  warm. 

"  Don't  go  too  fast,"  was  Hooker's  injunction  again  to  Sickles. 

"  I  want  a  brigade  to  fill  the  gap  between  myself  and  How- 
ard," was  Sickles's  reply,  and  Barlow's  brigade  was  sent.  It 
was  the  best  of  the  Eleventh  Corps.  Howard  had  placed  it  in 
reserve  just  where  he  could  use  it  to  advantage,  on  either  flank, 
in  front,  or  centre. 

The  Eleventh  Corps  was  formed  in  the  following  order : 
General  Devens's  division  on  the  right,  between  the  Stevensburg 
road  and  the  old  saw-mill,  facing  northwest ;  General  Schurz's 
division  south  of  the  plank-road,  facing  southwest;  General 
Schimmelfennig's  brigade  of  Stein wehr's  division  also  south  of 
the  road,  reaching  to  Dowdal's  Tavern ;  Barlow's  brigade  north 
of  the  road,  in  rear  of  the  centre. 

There  was  no  want  of  precaution  on  the  part  of  General 
Howard.  General  Hooker  rode  along  the  line  with  Howard  on 
Saturday  forenoon.     Howard  says :  — 

"  At  one  point  a  regiment  was  not  deployed  and  at  another  a  gap  in 
the  woods  was  not  filled.  The  corrections  were  made  and  the  position 
strengthened.  The  front  was  covered  by  a  good  line  of  skirmishers.  1 
should  have  stated  that  just  at  evening  of  the  1st  the  enemy  made  a 
reconnoissance  on  our  front  with  a  small  force  of  artillery  and  infantry 
General  Schimmelfennig  moved  out  with  a  battalion  and  drove  him 


188 


THE   BOYS   OF  '61. 


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1863.]  CHANCELLORSVILLE.  189 

back.  During  Saturday,  the  2d,  the  same  general  made  frequent  recon- 
noissances.  Infantry  scouts  and  cavalry  patrols  were  constantly  pushed 
out  on  every  road.  The  unvarying  report  was,  *  The  enemy  is  crossing 
the  plank-road  and  moving  towards  Culpepper.'  At  4  P.  M.  I  was 
directed  to  send  a  brigade  to  the  support  of  General  Sickles.  I  im^ 
mediately  took  Barlow's  brigade  by  a  short  route  to  General  Sickles's 
right,  some  two  and  a  half  miles  from  the  plank-road  to  the  front."  * 

It  was  six  o'clock.  There  was  a  gap  from  Dowdal's  Taveru 
almost  to  Chancellorsville,  from  which  Sickles  had  moved. 
Slocum  had  advanced  beyond  Chancellorsville  southeast.  The 
sending  out  of  Sickles  and  Barlow,  the  advance  of  Slocum,  and 
the  position  of  the  Second  Corps,  so  far  away  to  the  rear,  left 
Howard  without  any  supports. 

Jackson  came  through  the  woods  upon  Howard's  skirmishers, 
who  fired  and  fell  back.  The  firing  attracted  the  attention  of 
the  men  along  the  lines,  who  were  cooking  their  suppers.  Occa- 
sional shots  had  been  fired  during  the  afternoon,  and  there  was 
no  alarm  till  the  skirmishers  came  out  of  the  woods  upon  the 
run,  followed  by  the  Rebels.  The  men  seized  their  arms ;  but, 
before  Devens  could  get  his  regiments  into  position,  the  Rebels 
were  approaching  his  right  flank,  firing  quick  volleys  and  yelling 
like  savages.  Some  of  Devens's  command  fled,  throwing  away 
their  guns  and  equipments.  Others  fought  bravely.  Devens, 
while  endeavoring  to  rally  his  men,  was  wounded ;  several  of 
his  officers  fell ;  yet  he  held  his  ground  till  the  Rebels  gained 
his  rear  and  began  firing  into  the  backs  of  the  men  who  stood 
behind  the  breastwork.  Then  the  line  gave  way,  abandoning 
five  guns. 

Howard  was  at  his  head-quarters,  by  Dowdal's.  Schurz  also 
was  there  when  the  attack  commenced.     He  says :  — 

"  I  sent  my  chief  of  staff  to  the  front  when  firing  was  heard.  Gen- 
eral Schurz,  who  was  with  me,  left  at  once  to  take  command  of  his  line. 
It  was  not  three  minutes  before  I  followed.  When  T  reached  General 
Schurz's  command,  I  saw  that  the  enemy  had  enveloped  my  right,  and 
that  the  first  division  [Devens's]  was  giving  way.  I  first  tried  to 
change  front  with  the  deployed  regiments.  I  next  directed  the  artillery 
where  to  go ;  then  formed  a  line,  by  deploying  some  of  the  reserve  reg- 
iments, near  the  church.    By  this  time  the  whole  front,  on  the  north  of 

•  Howard's  Report 


190  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

the  plank-road,  had  given  way.  Colonel  Burshbeck's  brigade  was  faced 
about,  and,  lying  on  the  other  side  of  the  rifle-pit  embankment,  held  on 
with  praiseworthy  firmness.  A  part  of  General  Schimmelfennig's  and 
a  part  of  Colonel  Krzyzanouski's  brigades  moved  gradually  back  to  the 
north  of  the  plank-rdad,  and  kept  up  their  fire.  At  the  centre,  and  near 
the  plank-road,  there  was  a  blind  panic  and  great  confusion.  By  tha 
assistance  of  my  staff  and  some  other  officers,  one  of  whom  was  Colonel 
Dickinson,  of  General  Hooker's  staff,  the  rout  was  considerably  checked, 
and  all  the  artillery  except  eight  pieces  withdrawn.  Some  of  the  artil- 
lery was  well  served,  and  told  effectively  on  the  advancing  enemy. 
Captain  Dilger  kept  up  a  continuous  fire,  till  we  reached  General 
Birney's  position."  * 

The  Rebel  troops  which  first  made  their  appearance,  and 
which  enveloped  Howard's  right,  were  commanded  by  General 
Doles,  who  says  :  — 

"  At  five  o'clock  P.  M.  the  order  was  given  to  advance  against  the 
enemy.  The  brigade  moved  as  rapidly  as  possible  through  a  very  thick 
wood,  and  skirmishers  were  immediately  engaged  by  those  of  the  ene- 
my. Our  forces  marching  rapidly  forward  assisted  in  driving  in  the 
enemy's  sharpshooters,  when  we  were  subjected  to  a  heavy  musket  fire, 
and  grape,  canister,  and  shell.  The  command  was  ordered  to  attack  the 
enemy  in  his  intrenched  position,  drive  him  from  it,  and  take  his  bat- 
teries. The  order  was  promptly  obeyed  ;  the  Fourth  and  Forty-Fourth 
Georgia  assaulted  his  position  in  front ;  the  Twenty-First  Georgia  was 
ordered  to  flank  him  so  as  to  enfilade  his  intrenchments  ;  the  Twelfth 
Georgia  was  ordered  forward,  and  to  the  right,  to  attack  a  force  of  the 
enemy  on  the  right.  After  a  resistance  of  about  ten  minutes  we  drove 
him  from  his  position  on  the  left,  and  carried  his  battery  of  two  guns,  cais- 
sons, and  horses.  The  movement  of  the  Twelfth  Georgia  on  the  right 
was  successful.  The  order  to  forward  was  given,  when  the  command 
moved  forward  at  the  '  double-quick '  to  assault  the  enemy  who  had 
taken  up  a  strong  position  on  the  crest  of  a  hill  in  the  open  field.  He 
was  soon  driven  from  this  position,  the  command  pursuing  him.  He 
made  a  stubborn  resistance  from  behind  a  wattling  fence^  on  a  hill  thick- 
ly covered  with  pine.  The  whole  command  moved  gallantly  against 
this  position,  the  Fourth  and  Forty- Fourth  Georgia  in  front,  and  the 
Twenty-First  and  Twelfth  on  his  left  flank  and  rear.  Here  we  cap- 
tured one  gun,  —  a  rifled  piece.  We  pursued  his  retreating  forces  about 
three  hundred  yards  over  an  open  field,  receiving  a  severe  fire  from 

*  Howard's  Report. 


1863.J  CHANCELLORSVILLE.  191 

musketry  and  a  battery  of  four  pieces  on  the  crest  of  the  hill  that  com- 
manded the  field  below  ;  his  infantry  was  in  large  force,  and  well  pro- 
tected by  rifle-pits  and  intrenchments.  The  command  was  ordered  to 
take  the  intrenchments  and  the  battery,  which  was  done  after  a  resist- 
ance of  about  twenty  minutes.  The  enemy  fled  in  utter  confusion,  leav- 
ing his  battery  of  four  pieces,  his  wounded,  and  many  prisoners.  The 
Twelfth  Georgia  and  the  larger  portion  of  the  other  regiments  was 
formed  in  good  order,  and  pursued  him  through  the  pine  forest,  mov- 
ing some  five  hundred  yards  to  the  front,  and  holding  that  position 
until  after  dark.  Fresh  troops  having  been  placed  in  that  position  after 
dark,  I  ordered  the  command  to  retire  for  the  purpose  of  replenishing 
ammunitions,  the  men  being  entirely  out.  During  this  engagement, 
which  lasted  from  about  5^  to  9  P.  M.,  the  command  captured  eight 
pieces  of  artillery  and  many  prisoners."* 

It  is  manifest,  that  while  a  portion  of  the  Eleventh  Corps  bo- 
came  panic-stricken,  a  large  number  of  Howard's  troops  fought 
with  great  bravery.  The  corps  numbered  about  thirteen  thou- 
sand five  hundred  on  the  morning  of  May  1st. 

The  force  under  Howard  at  the  time  of  the  attack  did  not  ex- 
ceed eleven  thousand,  mainly  raw  German  troops.  Howard's 
total  loss  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners  was  two  thousand 
five  hundred  and  twenty-eight.  Twenty-five  ofiicers  and  one 
hundred  and  fifty-three  men  were  killed,  seventy-eight  officers 
and  eight  hundred  and  forty-two  wounded,  —  a  total  loss  of 
one  thousand  and  ninety-eight  killed  and  wounded,  which  shows 
the  severity  of  this  brief  conflict. 

The  Eleventh  Corps  has  been  severely  censured  for  pusillan- 
imous conduct  in  this  battle ;  but  when  all  of  the  facts  are 
taken  into  consideration, — that  Howard  had  no  supports  to  call 
upon  ;  that  the  Third  Corps  was  two  miles  and  a  half  from  its 
position  in  the  line  ;  that  Barlow's  Drigade  had  been  sent  away ; 
that  the  attack  was  a  surprise  ;  that  Jackson's  force  exceeded 
thirty  thousand ;  that,  notwithstanding  these  disadvantages,  a 
"  stubborn  resistance"  was  offered, — praise  instead  of  censure 
is  due  to  those  of  the  Eleventh  who  thus  held  their  ground, 
till  one  fourth  of  their  number  were  killed,  wounded,  or  taken 
prisoners. 

Almost  at  the  beginning  of  the  attack  Devens  was  wounded. 


*  General  Doles's  Report,  p.  63. 


192  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

In  the  confusion  and  panic,  there  was  no  one  to  take  his  place 
till  Howard  arrived.     Hooker  was  at  once  in  his  saddle. 

"  The  enemy  have  attacked  Howard  and  driven  him  in,"  was 
his  word  to  Sickles. 

"  That  can't  be,"  said  Sickles,  incredulous. 

"  Return  at  once,"  was  the  order  from  Hooker,  by  a  second 
messenger. 

The  heavy  firing,  constantly  growing  nearer,  gave  force  to 
the  instruction. 

It  was  now  quite  dark.  Sickles  set  out  to  return  with  all 
possible  haste,  but  soon  found  that  he  had  got  to  fight  his  way 
back.  Jackson's  left  wing  had  swept  round,  till  it  rested  upon 
the  road,  over  which  he  had  marched  on  his  way  out  to  the 
Furnace.  Berry's  division  came  first  upon  the  enemy.  A  se- 
vere contest  ensued,  lasting  till  nine  o'clock,  when  he  suc- 
ceeded in  re-establishing  his  connection  with  Howard,  who 
had  thus  far  fought  the  battle  almost  alone.  Lee,  with  Ander- 
son's command,  all  the  while  was  making  a  demonstration 
against  the  Twelfth  and  Fifth  Corps  east  of  Chancellorsville, 
and  the  Second  was  too  far  in  rear  to  be  of  any  service  to 
Howard  before  the  return  of  Sickles  and  Barlow. 

Jackson  gained  no  advantage  after  his  first  attack,  but  on  the 
other  hand  came  near  experiencing  a  panic  in  his  own  lines. 
General  Colston  says  :  — 

"We  continued  to  drive  the  enemy  until  darkness  prevented  oui 
farther  advance.  The  firing  now  ceased,  owing  to  the  difficult  and 
tangled  nature  of  the  ground  over  which  the  troops  had  advanced,  and 
the  mingling  of  my  first  and  second  lines  of  battle.  The  formation  of 
the  troops  became  very  much  confused,  and  different  regiments,  brigades, 
and  divisions  were  mixed  up  together.  .  .  .  The  troops  were  hardly  re- 
formed and  placed  in  position  when  the  enemy  opened,  about  ten  o'clock, 
a  furious  fire  of  shot,  shell,  and  canister,  sweeping  down  the  plank-road 
and  the  woods  on  each  side.  A  number  of  artillery  horses,  some  of 
them  without  drivers,  and  a  great  many  infantry  soldiers,  belonging  to 
other  commands,  rushed  down  the  road  in  wild  disorder ;  but,  although 
many  casualties  occurred  at  this  time  in  my  division,  the  troops  occupied 
their  position  with  the  utmost  steadiness.  It  was  at  this  time  that 
General  Nichols,  of  the  Louisiana  Brigade  (Fourth),  a  gallant  and 
accomplished  officer,  had  his  leg  torn  off  by  a  shell,  and  was  carried  off 
the  field.     It  was  also  about  the  same  time  that  our  great,  and  good. 


1863.]  CHANCELLORSVILLE.  193 

and  ever  to  be  lamented  corps  commander  fell  under  the  fire  of  some  of 
the  men  of  General  Lane's  brigade."  * 

Under  cover  of  the  fire  of  the  artillery,  Berry's  division  of 
the  Third  Corps  attacked  Jackson.  The  Rebel  commander  had 
just  placed  A.  P.  Hill's  division  in  the  front  line,  and  was  con 
templating  an  attack  upon  Sickles,  when  Berry  advanced.  His 
biographer  says :  — 

"  Such  was  his  ardor  at  this  critical  moment,  and  his  anxiety  to  pen- 
etrate the  movements  of  the  enemy,  doubly  screened  as  they  were  by 
the  dense  forest  and  gathering  darkness,  that  he  rode  ahead  of  the  skir- 
mishers, and  exposed  himself  to  a  close  and  dangerous  fire  from  the 
enemy's  sharpshooters,  posted  in  the  timber.  So  great  was  the  danger 
which  he  ran,  that  one  of  his  staff  said,  *  General,  don't  you  think  this 
is  the  wrong  place  for  you  ? '  He  replied,  quickly,  '  The  danger  is  all 
over ;  the  enemy  is  routed.  Go  back  and  tell  A.  P.  Hill  to  press  right 
on ! '  Soon  after  giving  this  order,  General  Jackson  turned,  and, 
accompanied  by  his  staff  and  escort,  rode  back  at  a  trot  on  his  well- 
known  'Old  Sorrel'  toward  his  own  men.  Unhappily,  in  the  dark- 
ness, —  it  was  now  nine  or  ten  o'clock  at  night,  —  the  little  body  of 
horsemen  was  mistaken  for  Federal  cavalry  charging,  and  the  regiments 
on  the  right  and  left  of  the  road  fired  a  sudden  volley  into  them  with 
the  most  lamentable  results.  Captain  Boswell,  of  Jackson's  staff,  was 
killed,  and  borne  into  our  lines  by  his  horse.  Colonel  Crutchfield,  chief 
of  artillery,  was  wounded,  and  two  couriers  killed.  General  Jackson 
received  one  ball  in  his  left  arm,  two  inches  below  the  shoulder-joint, 
shattering  the  bone  and  severing  the  chief  artery;  a  second  passed 
through  the  same  arm,  between  the  elbow  and  wrist,  making  its  exit 
through  the  palm  of  the  hand ;  a  third  entered  the  palm  of  his  right 
hand,  about  the  middle,  and,  passing  through,  broke  two  of  the  bones. 

"  He  fell  from  his  horse,  and  was  caught  by  Captain  "Wormly,  to 
whom  he  said,  '  All  my  wounds  are  by  my  own  men.' 

"  The  firing  was  responded  to  by  the  enemy,  who  made  a  sudden 
advance,  and^  the  Confederates  falling  hack^  their  foes  actually  charged 
over  JacksovUs  body.  He  was  not  discovered,  however,  and  the  Federals 
being  driven  in  turn,  he  was  rescued.  Ready  hands  placed  him  upon  a 
litter,  and  he  was  borne  to  the  rear  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy. 
One  of  the  litter-bearers  was  shot  down;  the  General  fell  from  the 
shoulders  of  the  men,  receiving  a  severe  contusion,  adding  to  the  injury 
of  the  arm  and  injuring  the  side  severely.    The  enemy's  fire  of  artillery 

♦  Colston's  Report,  p.  43. 
13 


194  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

at  this  point  was  terrible.  General  Jackson  was  left  for  five  minutes 
until  the  fire  slackened,  then  placed  in  an  ambulance  and  carried  to  the 
field  hospital  at  Wilderness  Run."  * 

Thus  fell  a  commander  endowed  with  qualities  calculated  to 
stir  the  warmest  enthusiasm  of  the  people  of  the  South.  He 
was  brave,  daring,  energetic,  impulsive,  —  the  most  competent 
of  all  the  Rebel  generals  to  lead  a  charge,  —  but  not  esteemed 
BO  able  as  Lee  to  conduct  a  campaign.  He  was  deeply  relig- 
ious, but  espoused  Treason  with  all  his  heart.  He  was  educat- 
ed at  the  expense  of  the  United  States,  and  had  sworn  to  bear 
faithful  allegiance  to  his  country ;  yet  he  joined  the  Rebels  at 
the  outset,  and  did  what  he  could  to  inaugurate  and  carry  to  a 
successful  issue  a  civil  war  for  the  overthrow  of  the  national 
government  and  the  establishing  of  another  with  slavery  for  its 
corner-stone !  He  prayed  and  fought  for  a  system  of  servitude 
which  was  the  sum  of  all  villanies,  and  which  has  received  the 
condemnation  of  every  civilized  nation  of  modern  times. 

Not  according  to  the  measure  of  his  military  prowess,  nor  by 
his  sincerity  of  heart  or  religious  convictions  and  exercises,  will 
History  judge  him,  but,  connecting  the  man  with  the  cause 
which  he  espoused,  will  hold  him  accountable  for  blood  shed 
in  a  war  waged  to  sustain  human  slavery,  under  the  specious 
doctrine  of  the  Rights  of  States. 

When  the  assault  was  made  on  Howard,  the  first  move  on  the 
part  of  Hooker  was  to  arrange  for  a  new  line. 

Captain  Best,  commanding  the  artillery  of  the  Twelfth  Corps, 
brought  thirty-six  guns  into  position  between  Chancellorsville 
and  Dowdal's,  sweeping  the  fields  to  the  south  and  southwest, 
the  Orangeburg  plank-road,  and  the  breastworks  which  Busch- 
beck  had  abandoned,  an(i  behind  which  the  Rebels  were  form- 
ing for  a  second  attack.  Under  cover  of  this  fire,  Birney  and 
Whipple  came  back  from  Scott's  Creek ;  Williams's  division, 
which  had  been  pushed  out  southeast  of  Chancellorsville,  on 
the  road  to  Fredericksburg,  was  drawn  in. 

When  the  Twelfth  Corps  got  back  to  its  place  in  the  line, 
most  of  Howard's  works  were  in  possession  of  the  enemy. 

♦  Life  of  Stonewall  Jackson,  by  Daniels,  of  Richmond,  p.  254. 


1863 .]  CHANCELLORSVILLE.  196 

Williams  now  crossed  his  own  intrenchments,  and  formed  in 
the  field,  facing  westward. 

"  Stand  steady,  old  Third  Brigade.  Stand  steady,  old  Second 
Massachusetts,"  was  the  address  of  the  Brigadier. 

So  stood  the  line,  while  Best  poured  in  his  tremendous  artil- 
lery fire,  and  while  Berry  pushed  the  Rebels  back  into  the 
woods. 

Jackson  and  A.  P.  Hill  having  been  wounded,  the  command 
devolved  on  General  Stuart,  who  arrived  at  midnight  and  made 
a  reconnoissance  of  the  lines. 

East  of  Chancellorsville  Slocum  and  Meade  were  having  a  se- 
vere fight  with  the  Rebels  under  Lee,  who  says  in  his  report:* — 

"  As  soon  as  the  sound  of  cannon  gave  notice  of  Jackson*8  attack  on 
the  enemy's  right,  our  troops  in  front  of  Chancellorsville  were  ordered 
to  press  him  strongly  on  the  left,  to  prevent  reinforcements  being  seAt 
to  the  point  assailed.  They  were  directed  not  to  attack  in  force,  unless 
a  favorable  opportunity  should  present  itself,  and  while  continuing  to 
cover  the  roads  leading  from  their  respective  positions,  toward  Chan- 
cellorsville, to  incline  to  the  left  so  as  to  connect  with  Jackson's  right  as 
he  closed  in  upon  the  centre.  These  orders  were  well  executed,  our 
troops  advancing  up  to  the  enemy's  intrenchments,  while  several  bat- 
teries played  with  good  effect  upon  his  lines,  until  prevented  by  in- 
creasing darkness."  * 

Anderson's  division  advanced  rapidly  up  the  Fredericksburg 
road,  charging  upon  Kane's  brigade  of  Geary's  division,  com- 
posed of  new  troops,  which,  after  a  short  resistance,  retreated 
in  confusion.  An  aid  from  Slocum  came  down  to  Hooker  for 
reinforcements.  "  No,"  said  Hooker,  "  he  must  hold  his  own. 
Let  Geary's  division,  however,  be  thrown  to  the  right  of  the 
road,  that  the  artillery  may  be  able  to  sweep  the  enemy  on  the 
left."  This  was  done,  and  the  heavy  fire  that  was  given  by 
Knapp's  and  other  batteries  checked  Anderson's  advance.  A 
constant  demonstration  was  kept  up  by  Anderson  to  deceive 
Hooker  as  to  Lee's  intentions.     Thus  the  night  passed. 

THE    BATTLE    OF    SUNDAY. 

Both  armies  were  busy  through  the  night,  preparing  for  the 
great  struggle,  —  Lee  to  attack  and  Hooker  to  defend.     The 


•  Lee's  Report. 


196  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

wounded  were  sent  to  the  rear,  abo  the  baggage  trains,  and 
the  cavalry,  and  everything  which  could  impede  operations. 
Hooker's  line  was  in  the  form  of  the  letter  V.  The  Second 
Corps,  which  had  followed  Berry  up  the  night  before,  oc- 
cupied the  right  of  the  line,  reaching  nearly  down  to  the 
river,  joining  the  left  flank  upon  Berry's  division  of  the 
Third  Corps,  which  extended  to  the  plank-road,  west  of  Chan- 
cellorsville.  Whipple's  and  Birney's  divisions  of  the  Third, 
and  Geary's  division  of  the  Twelfth,  formed  the  point  of  the 
letter  V,  which  enclosed  Chancellorsville.  The  other  divisions 
of  the  Twelfth  Corps  and  the  Fifth  Corps  forming  the  other 
side  of  the  letter,  extended  from  Chancellorsville  to  the  Rap- 
pahannock. The  Eleventh  Corps  was  placed  in  position  to 
support  the  Fifth  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  line.  During  the 
day  the  First  Corps  under  Reynolds  came  up  the  river,  crossed 
at  United  States  Ford,  and  wheeled  into  position  on  the  right 
of  the  Second  Corps,  thus  forming  the  extreme  right  of  the 
line.  The  troops  had  been  busy  through  the  night  erecting 
breastworks,  while  a  large  number  of  guns  were  placed  in 
position  to  sweep  all  the  roads.  Stuart  renewed  the  fight  at 
daylight,  with  Hill  in  the  front  line,  Colston  in  the  second,  and 
Rodes  in  the  third.  He  advanced  with  the  intention  of  break 
ing  the  line  near  Chancellorsville.  His  troops  were  exasper 
ated  by  the  loss  of  their  leader,  and  were  animated  by  revenge. 
They  came  through  the  woods  almost  in  solid  mass.  Colston's 
and  Rodes's  men,  pressing  eagerly  forward,  and  closing  up  the 
spaces  between  the  lines.  They  received,  without  flinching, 
the  terrible  fire  which  flamed  from  Berry's  and  Birney's  and 
Whipple's  lines.  They  charged  upon  Sickles's  outer  works,  and 
carried  them. 

They  advanced  upon  the  second  line,  but  were  cut  up  by 
Best's  artillery.  Companies  and  regiments  melted  away. 
Berry  and  Birney  advance  to  meet  them.  The  living  waves 
rolled  against  each  other  like  the  billows  of  a  stormy  sea.  The 
Rebels,  as  if  maddened  by  the  obstinacy  of  those  who  held  the 
position,  rushed  up  to  the  muzzles  of  the  cannon.  Sickles 
sent  for  reinforcements.  Hooker  ordered  French  and  Hancock 
of  tlie  Second  Corps  to  advance  and  attack  Stuart  in  flank. 

It  was  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning.     The  battle  had  been 


1863.]  CHANCELLOKSVILLE.  197 

raging  since  da/light.  The  two  divisions  of  the  Second  Corps 
swung  out  from  the  main  line,  faced  southwest,  and  moved 
upon  Stuart. 

South  of  Chancellorsville  there  is  an  elevation  higher  than 
that  occupied  by  Best's  artillery.  When  the  fog  which  had 
hung  over  the  battle-field  all  the  morning  lifted,  Stuart  sent  his 
artillery  to  occupy  the  position.  Thirty  pieces  were  planted 
there,  which  enfiladed  both  of  Hooker's  lines.  A  heavy  artil- 
lery duel  was  kept  up,  but,  notwithstanding  the  severity  of  the 
fire,  the  Union  troops  held  the  position.  Stuart,  instead  of 
breaking  through  Sickles,  found  the  Second  Corps  turning  his 
own  left  flank.     He  says  :  — 

"  The  enemy  was  pressing  our  left  with  infantry,  and  all  the  rein 
forcements  I  could  obtain  were  sent  tliere.  Colquitt's  brigade  of 
Trimble's  division,  ordered  first  to  the  right,  was  directed  to  the  left  to 
support  Pender.  Iverson's  brigade  of  the  second  line  was  also  engaged 
there,  and  the  three  lines  were  more  or  less  merged  into  one  line  of 
battle,  and  reported  hard  pressed.  Urgent  requests  were  sent  for  rein- 
forcements, and  notices  that  the  troops  were  out  of  ammunition.  I 
ordered  that  the  ground  must  be  held  at  all  hazards,  if  necessary  with 
the  bayonet."  * 

All  of  the  efforts  of  Stuart  to  break  the  line  by  a  direct  in 
fantry  attack  failed.  But  his  batteries  massed  Ou.  the  hill 
were  doing  great  damage.  The  shells  swept  down  Birney's 
and  Whipple's  and  Berry's  ranks  on  the  one  hand,  and  Geary's 
and  Williams's  on  the  other.  Hooker  saw  that  the  position 
could  not  be  held  without  great  loss  of  life.  Preparations 
were  accordingly  made  to  fall  back  to  a  stronger  position, 
where  his  army  would  be  more  concentrated,  the  lines  shorter 
and  thicker,  in  the  form  of  a  semi-circle.  Meanwhile  Lee 
swung  Anderson  round  and  joined  Stuart,  making  a  simulta- 
neous advance  of  both  wings  of  his  army,  under  cover  of  a 
heavy  fire  from  all  his  available  artillery,  —  pouring  a  storm 
of  shells  upon  Chancellorsville,  firing  the  buildings.  Hooker 
had  begun  to  retire  before  Lee  advanced,  withdrawing  his  artil- 
lery, removing  his  wounded,  losing  no  prisoners. 

Every  attack  of  Anderson  upon  Slocum  had  been  repulsed 
with  great  loss.     A  South  Carolina  regiment  came  against  the 

♦  Stuart's  Report. 


198  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May 

Second  Massachusetts.  Three  times  the  men  from  the  Pal- 
metto state  charged  upon  the  men  of  Massachusetts.  Three 
times  the  flag  from  the  Old  Bay  State  changed  hands.  But, 
before  the  Rebels  could  carry  it  from  the  field,  it  was  rescued, 
and  at  the  close  of  the  fight  was  still  in  the  hands  of  the  regi- 
mont.  When  Slocum's  troops  had  exhausted  their  ammuni- 
tion they  emptied  the  cartridge-boxes  of  the  fallen.  When 
that  was  gone  they  held  the  ground  by  the  bayonet  till  ordered 
to  retire.* 

General  Lee  says :  — 

"  By  ten  A.  M.  we  were  in  full  possession  of  the  field.  The  troops, 
having  become  somewhat  scattered,  by  the  difl&culties  of  the  ground, 
and  the  ardor  of  the  contest,  were  immediately  reformed,  preparatory 
to  renewing  the  attack.  The  enemy  had  retired  to  a  strong  position 
near  the  Rappahannock,  which  he  had  previously  fortified.  His  supe- 
riority of  numbers,  the  unfavorable  nature  of  the  ground,  which  was 
densely  wooded,  and  the  condition  of  our  troops,  after  the  arduous  and 
sanguinary  conflict  in  which  they  had  been  engaged,  rendered  great 
caution  necessary.  Our  preparations  were  just  completed,  when  further 
operations  were  suspended  by  intelligence  received  fi'om  Fredericks- 
burg." f 

The  new  line  taken  by  Hooker  was  one  of  great  strength. 
No  assault,  with  the  intention  of  carrying  it,  was  made  by  Lee. 
News  of  disaster  from  Fredericksburg,  where  Sedgwick  was 
driving  all  before  him,  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  send  rein- 
forcements in  that  direction. 

SECOND    BATTLE    OF    FREDEKICKSBURG. 

An  important  part  of  General  Hooker's  plan  was  Sedgwick's 
movement  on  Fredericksburg,  but  the  battle  fought  there  on 
Sunday,  the  3d  of  May,  was  wholly  distinct  from  Chancellor? 
ville.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  2d,  Professor  Lowe  went 
up  in  his  balloon  from  the  Falmouth  hills,  and  looked  down 
upon  the  city. 

He  reported  the  Rebels  moving  towards  Chancellorsville. 
Looking  closely  into  the  intrenchments  behind  Fredericksburg 
he  discovered  that  the  Rebeis  intended  to  hold  them.     The 

•  "  From  the  Potomac  to  the  Rapidan,"  by  Quint, 
t  Lee's  Report. 


1863.]  OHANCELLORSVILLE.  1»» 

Washington  Artillery  was  behind  the  breastworks  by  Jifaryee's 
house. 

^'  Ten  thousand  of  the  enemy,  I  should  judge,  still  there,'' 
was  his  report  to  General  Butterfield,  Hooker's  chief  of  staff, 
who  remained  with  Sedgwick. 

During  the  day  Reynolds  withdrew  and  moved  up  the  Fal- 
mouth side  to  United  States  Ford.  The  Rebels  saw  the  move- 
ment, and  thought  that  the  Yankees  did  not  dare  to  make  a 
second  attempt  to  drive  them  from  their  intrenchments. 

"  Now  is  the  time  for  Sedgwick  to  attack  them,"  was  Hook- 
er's despatch  from  Chancellorsville,  Saturday  afternoon,  to 
General  Butterfield. 

As  soon  as  night  came  on,  Sedgwick  began  his  preparations. 
The  engineers  were  directed  to  take  up  the  lower  pontoons  and 
lay  a  new  bridge  opposite  the  Lacy  House,  at  the  point  where 
the  Seventh  Michigan  and  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  Massa- 
chusetts won  for  themselves  great  honor  on  the  11th  of  De- 
cember. 

"  Kindle  no  fires ;  let  there  be  no  loud  talking,"  were  Sedg- 
wick's orders  to  his  troops  on  the  plain  oy  Bernard's  house, 
Delow  Deep  Run.  The  men  ate  their  suppers  of  hard-tack  and 
cold  meat  in  silence,  threw  themselves  upon  the  ground,  and 
slept  soundly  in  the  calm  moonlight.  At  midnight  an  aide 
rode  along  the  lines,  saying  to  each  officer,  "  Get  your  men 
in  readiness  at  once."  The  men  sprang  to  their  feet,  folded 
their  blankets,  and  were  ready. 

It  was  half  past  twelve  Sunday  morning  before  the  forward 
movement  began.  The  United  States  Chasseurs  were  in  ad- 
vance as  skirmishers,  deployed  on  both  sides  of  the  Bowling 
Green  road.  Shaler's  brigade  followed,  then  Wheaton's  and 
Brown's  brigades.  They  crossed  Deep  Run,  where  the  skir- 
mishers had  a  few  shots  with  the  Rebel  pickets,  and  moved  into 
the  town. 

The  engineers  soon  had  the  bridge  completed,  and  Gibbon's 
division  of  the  Second  Corps,  which  had  been  waiting  by  the 
Lacy  House,  crossed  the  stream. 

Early  stationed  Barksdale,  with  seven  companies  of  the 
Twenty-First  Mississippi,  between  Maryee's  house  and  the 
plank-road,  with  the  Seventeenth  and  Thirteenth   Mississippi 


SiOO  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

on  the  hills  by  the  Howison  house,  and  the  Eighteenth  and  the 
remainder  of  the  Twenty-First  behind  the  stone-wall  at  the  base 
of  the  hill.  Hayes's  brigade,  consisting  of  the  Fifth,  Sixth, 
Seventh,  Eighth,  and  Ninth  Louisianians,  was  on  the  hill  near 
the  monument,  with  Wilcox's  brigade  in  its  rear,  guarding 
Banks's  Ford.  Early  himself  was  by  Hazel  Run,  with  Gordon's, 
Hoke's,  and  Smith's  brigades. 

Sedgwick's  divisions  were  formed  in  the  following  order  : 
Gibbon  above  the  town  in  front  of  the  monument,  Newton  in 
front  of  Maryee's  Hill,  Howe  at  the  lower  end  of  the  town,  and 
Brooks  on  the  plain  below. 

The  morning  dawned.  The  fog  prevented  the  Rebels  from 
seeing  the  movements  of  Sedgwick,  though  Barksdale's  pickets 
reported  the  town  full  of  Yankees.  From  Chancellorsville 
came  the  roar  of  battle,  the  constant  thunder  of  the  cannonade. 
It  was  half  past  five  when  Shaler's  brigade  of  Newton's  division 
moved  over  the  field  where  so  many  thousands  fell  on  the  13th 
of  December.  It  was  a  reconnoissance  to  ascertain  the  position 
and  number  of  the  force  holding  the  place.  The  men  marched 
on  gallantly,  but  were  forced  to  retire  before  the  Mississippians 
and  the  artillery  on  the  hill. 

Sedgwick  brought  Hearn's,  Martin's,  Adams's,  and  Hazard's 
batteries,  and  Battery  D  of  the  Second  United  States  regi- 
ment of  artillery,  into  position  in  the  town  and  above  it,  while 
Hexamer's,  the  First  Maryland,  and  McCartney's  First  Massa- 
chusetts occupied  the  ground  below  Hazel  Run.  McCart- 
ney was  on  the  same  spot  which  he  occupied  in  the  first 
battle. 

It  was  a  day  of  peace  everywhere  except  at  Fredericksburg 
and  Chancellorsville.  The  air  was  laden  with  the  fragrance  of 
flowers  blooming  in  the  gardens  of  the  town.  Thousands  of 
spectators  stood  upon  the  Falmouth  hills  watching  the  contest. 
All  the  batteries  were  at  work,  —  the  heavy  guns  at  Falmoutli, 
at  the  Lacy  House,  and  farther  down,  throwing  shells  and  solid 
shot  over  the  town  into  the  Rebel  lines. 

Gibbon,  instead  of  advancing  directly  up  the  hill  towards  the 
monument,  where  Hayes  was  lying  behind  the  intrenchments, 
moved  up  the  river  road,  intending  to  turn  Hayes's  right  flank. 
Bayes  moved  liis  men  farther  up,  and  sent  a  courier  to  Wil- 


1863.] 


CHANCELLORSVILLE. 


201 


Union  Positions. 


1.  Gibbon's  Division. 

2.  Newton's        " 

3.  Howe's  " 

4.  Brooks's         '* 


Rebel  Positions. 

A.  Hayes's  Brigade. 

B.  Barksdale's  Brigade. 

C.  Early's  Division. 

Gordon's,   Hokes's,  and  Smith's  Bri- 


D.   Wilcox's  Brigade. 


202  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

cox  with  the  message,  "  The  Yankees  are  coming  up  the  river 
road."  * 

Wilcox  left  fifty  men  to  guard  the  ford,  and  went  upon  the 
run  towards  the  town.  It  was  an  anxious  moment  to  the 
Rebels.  Barksdale  and  Hayes  and  Wilcox  all  met  at  Stanis- 
berry's  house,  and  consulted  as  to  what  should  be  done.  Early 
their  commander,  was  down  on  the  Telegraph  road,  looking 
after  matters  in  that  direction. 

"  The  Yankees  are  in  full  force  below  the  town,"  said 
Barksdale. t  That  was  the  first  information  Wilcox  had  re- 
ceived of  the  startling  fact.  They  had  been  outgeneralled. 
They  supposed  that  the  movement  below  the  town  was  a  feint. 
They  had  seen  Reynolds  withdraw  and  march  up  stream  to- 
wards Chancellor sville,  but  had  not  seen  Gibbon  cross  the 
stream.     Yet  he  was  there,  moving  to  the  attack. 

"  Put  your  batteries  into  position  and  play  upon  them,"  said 
Barksdale.  f  Huger's  battery  galloped  up,  chose  a  fine  position 
on  the  hill  near  Dr.  Taylor's  house,  and  began  to  fire  upon 
the  Massachusetts  Twentieth,  which  was  in  the  road,  compel- 
ling it  to  seek  shelter  under  the  hill.  So  efiectual  was  the  fire 
that  Gibbon's  advance  was  checked. 

Brooks  and  Howe  moved  against  the  Rebels  below  the  town, 
but  found  them  strongly  posted. 

Twice  Newton  advanced  upon  Maryee's  Hill,  and  was  driven 
back.  The  forenoon  was  waning.  But  though  baffled,  Sedg- 
wick was  not  disposed  to  give  up  the  attempt.  He  watched 
the  contest  closely,  reconnoitring  all  the  positions  of  the  Rebels, 
and  determined  to  make  an  attack  with  his  whole  force  at 
once. 

But  while  Sedgwick  was  making  preparations,  Early  endeav- 
ored to  drive  Brooks  and  Howe  into  the  river.  He  advanced 
from  the  position  occupied  by  Pender  and  Hood  in  the  first 
battle,  emerged  from  the  woods  and  crossed  the  open  field. 

It  is  about  ten  o'clock.  McCartney's  battery,  the  First  Masssr 
chusetts,  is  on  a  hillock,  where  it  has  full  sweep  of  aU  the  plain, 
right  and  left,  and  in  front.  There  are  five  batteries  of  the 
Rebel  reserve  artillery,  under  Pendleton,  in  front,  which  have 

•  Wilcox's  Report,  p.  98.  t  Wilcox's  Report 

t  Barksdale's  Report. 


1863.]  CHANCELLORSVILLE.  208 

tried  in  vain  to  drive  McCartney  from  the  spot.  A  solid  shot 
kills  two  horses  and  a  man;  McCartney  is  struck  by  a  frag- 
ment of  shell ;  yet  the  battery  maintains  its  position  north  of 
the  Bowling  Green  road,  in  Bernard's  field.  A  regiment  which 
never  before  has  been  under  fire  is  lying  in  front  of  the  batr 
tery,  sheltered  by  the  hedges  along  the  road,  —  soldiers  that 
have  enlisted  for  nine  months.  They  are  wanting  in  pluck, 
and  as  the  Rebels  advance,  run  straight  up  the  hill  towards  the 
battery. 

"  Get  out  of  the  way,  or  I  '11  fire  through  you,"  shouts  Lieu- 
tenant Green,  who  impatiently  holds  his  artillerists  in  check 
till  the  fugitives  are  past  him. 

He  cuts  at  them  right  and  left  with  his  sword,  indignant  at 
their  cowardly  conduct,  anxious  to  have  the  coast  clear,  that 
he  may  pour  a  torrent  of  canister  into  the  advancing  foe,  now 
close  at  hand. 

The  whole  battery  —  six  pieces  —  opens  by  a  volley,  sending 
streams  of  canister  down  the  slope !  But  the  Rebels  are  in 
earnest.     Still  they  advance. 

"  Give  them  double-shotted  canister,"  shouts  Green  to  his 
gunners,  and  they  ram  home  the  charges  with  a  will.  The 
guns  leap  from  the  ground  with  the  recoil ! 

Nearer,  —  across  the  road,  —  up  the  hill,  —  they  come. 

"  Give  it  to  them !  Give  it  to  them !  Quick !  "  are  the  ener- 
getic shouts  of  Green,  and  the  canister  tears  through  the  ranks. 
No  troops  can  face  such  a  destructive  fire.  The  Rebels  flee 
down  the  hill,  across  the  road,  over  the  field,  to  the  shelter  of 
the  woods. 

"  The  repulse  of  the  enemy  on  the  extreme  left  was  effected 
almost  entirely  by  McCartney's  battery,"  said  General  Brooks.* 

General  Sedgwick  determined  to  carry  Maryee's  Hill  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet.  Some  of  the  officers  thought  it  an  im- 
possibility. It  had  been  tried  three  times  in  the  first  battle  and 
twice  during  that  morning,  and  all  attempts  had  failed.  But 
Sedgwick  converged  his  forces  upon  one  point.  He  formed 
his  columns  in  three  lines,  with  the  intention  of  moving  his 
whole  force  at  once,  —  thus  preventing  Early  from  sending  any 
reinforcements  from  other  parts  of  the  lines. 

♦  Brooks's  Eeport. 


204  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

The  troops  selected  for  the  attack  upon  Maryee's  Hill  were 
the  Sixty-First  Pennsylvaiua  and  Forty-Third  New  York  in  the 
front  line,  north  of  the  plank-road,  and  the  First  Long  Island 
and  Eighty-Second  Pennsylvania  hi  the  second  line,  under  Gen- 
eral Shaler.  South  of  the  plank-road  were  the  Sixth  Maine  and 
Thirty-First  New  York  in  the  front  line,  \Wth  the  Fifth  Wis- 
consin acting  as  skirmishers.  Next  in,  line  were  the  Seventh 
Massachusetts  and  Thirty-Sixth  New  York,  Second  New  York 
and  Twenty-Sixth  New  Jersey,  of  Neil's  hrigade.  Still  farther 
down,  hy  Hazel  Run,  was  the  Yermont  hrigade. 

Gibbon  moved  against  Hayes  and  Wilcox,  while  Brooks  still 
held  the  ground,  and  made  a  demonstration  against  Early. 

It  is  past  eleven  o'clock  before  all  the  dispositions  are  made 

'*  Go  upon  the  double-quick.  Don't  fire  a  shot.  Give  them 
the  bayonet.  Carry  the  rifle-pits,  charge  up  the  hill,  and  cap- 
ture the  guns,"  are  the  instructions. 

The  men  throw  aside  everything  which  will  hinder  them,  fix 
their  bayonets,  and  prepare  for  the  work.  Their  blood  is  up. 
They  know  that  it  is  to  be  a  desperate  struggle.  But  it  is  not 
death  that  they  are  thinking  of,  but  victory ! 

The  Sixty-First  Pennsylvania  and  Forty-Third  New  York 
move  over  the  bridge  across  the  canal.  Their  advance  is  the 
signal  for  all  the  lines.  The  men  rise  from  the  ground  where 
they  have  been  lying  sheltered  from  the  Rebel  shells.  The 
Rebel  batteries  above  them  are  in  a  blaze.  The  stone-wall  at 
the  base  of  the  hill  is  aflame.  Barksdale  sees  the  threatening 
aspect.  "  I  am  hard  pressed,"  is  his  message  to  Wilcox.  "  Send 
me  reinforcements."  But  Gibbon  is  moving  on  Wilcox,  and 
the  latter  cannot  respond. 

Cool  and  steady  the  advance.  The  hills  rain  canister.  The 
sunken  road  is  a  sheet  of  flame.  But  onward  into  the  storm, 
with  a  cheer,  heard  above  the  roar  of  battle  upon  the  distant 
Falmouth  hills,  they  leap  into  the  sunken  road  and  capture  the 
Rebels  defending  it.  They  climb  the  hill.  Steep  the  ascent. 
They  feel  the  hot  breath  of  the  cannon  in  their  faces.  Some 
roll  to  the  bottom  of  the  hill,  the  lamp  of  life  extinguished  for- 
ever ;  but  their  surviving  comrades  do  not  falter.  They  reach 
the  crest,  leap  over  the  breastworks,  and  seize  the  guns !  Maine, 
Massachusetts,  Vermont,  New  york,  and  Wisconsin  meet  in 
the  intrenchments  and  rend  the  air  with  victorious  cheers ! 


il!5^iy^*^i>^ 


LEADING    A    CHARGE. 


•      »    •     « 


1863.]  CHANCELLORSVILLE.  205 

Barksdale  puts  spurs  to  his  horse  and  rides  to  the  rear,  leav- 
ing half  of  his  brigade  and  eight  guns  in  the  hands  of  the 
victors. 

Barksdale  says :  — 

"The  distance  from  town  to  the  points  assailed  was  so  short,  the 
attack  so  suddenly  made,  and  the  difficulty  of  removing  troops  from  one 
part  of  the  line  to  another  was  so  great,  that  it  was  utterly  impossible 
for  either  General  Wilcox  or  General  Hayes  to  reach  the  scene  of 
action  in  time  to  afford  any  assistance  whatever."  * 

There  was  consternation  in  the  Rebel  lines.  Early  fled  down 
the  Telegraph  road.  Hayes  also  ran.  Wilcox,  who  was  not 
aware  of  the  disaster,  remained  in  position  on  Taylor's  Hill, 
wondering  what  had  happened.  Had  Sedgwick  known  his 
position,  the  whole  of  Wilcox's  brigade  might  have  been  cap- 
tured ;  but  it  required  time  to  reform  the  lines,  and  Wilcox 
made  his  escape. 

Long  and  loud  and  joyous  were  the  shouts  of  the  victors. 
The  stronghold  had  been  wrested  from  the  Rebels  at  last. 

It  was  Sunday  noon.  Hooker  had  just  fallen  back  from 
Chancellorsville,  and  the  Rebels  were  rejoicing  over  their  suc- 
cess, when  a  messenger  reached  Lee  with  the  tidings  of  disaster. 
Fredericksburg  was  lost,  after  all.  It  must  be  recovered,  or 
the  victory  at  Chancellorsville  would  be  only  a  disastrous 
defeat. 

Sedgwick  telegraphed  his  success  to  Hooker. 

"  Move  and  attack  Lee  in  rear,"  was  Hooker's  order. 

Lee  sent  McLaws  to  hold  Sedgwick  in  check.  The  time 
had  come  when  Hooker  should  have  assumed  the  offensive. 
The  First  Corps  had  arrived,  but  had  taken  no  part  in  the 
battle.  The  Third  Corps,  Meade's,  was  in  good  condition ;  so 
was  the  Second,  Hancock's,  although  it  had  fought  during  the 
forenoon.  Barlow's  brigade  of  the  Eleventh  was  fresh ;  the 
Twelfth  had  fought  bravely,  had  lost  heavily,  but  was  not  de- 
moralized. The  Third  Corps  had  suffered  most  of  all,  yet  it 
could  be  relied  upon  for  another  contest.  The  withdrawal  of 
McLaws  left  Lee's  line  thin  towards  Fredericksburg,  the  place 
to  break  through,  and  open  communication  with  Sedgwick. 


*  Barksdale's  Report. 


206  THE  BOYS  OF  *6i.  [May, 

The  hour  had  come  when  he  ought  not  to  stand  lohger  on  the 
defensive,  but  gathering  his  forces  in  mass  overwhelm  Lee  by  a 
sudden  and  mighty  onset.  It  was  an  auspicious  moment,  —  a 
golden  opportunity,  such  as  does  not  often  come  to  military 
commanders.  But  having  formed  his  plan  of  fighting  a  defen- 
sive battle,  he  did  not  depart  from  it,  and  lost  the  victory  which 
lay  within  his  grasp. 

Sedgwick  having  carried  the  heights  of  Fredericksburg, 
instead  of  following  Early  down  the  Telegraph  road,  made  prep- 
arations to  move  towards  Chancellorsville,  and  join  Hooker. 

Wilcox,  meanwhile,  brought  two  of  Huger's  rifle-guns  into 
position  near  Dr.  Taylor's  house,  and  opened  fire.  He  also  threw 
out  his  skirmishers,  made  a  display  of  his  force,  and  looked 
round  to  see  what  could  be  done  to  escape  from  his  perilous 
position.  Sedgwick  brought  up  a  battery,  and  moved  for- 
ward his  lines.  Wilcox  fled,  and  succeeded,  by  rapid  marching 
under  the  shelter  of  a  pine  thicket,  in  gaining  the  plank-road, 
near  Salem  Church,  where  he  was  joined  by  General  McLaws, 
and  where  also  Barksdale  rallied  his  troops. 

The  church  is  a  brick  building,  without  any  steeple,  stand- 
ing on  the  south  side  of  the  road,  about  four  miles  out  from 
Fredericksburg,  and  about  a  mile  and  a  half  south  of  the  Rap- 
pahannock at  Banks's  Ford.  There  was  an  oak  grove  near 
the  church,  and  in  front  of  it  an  open  field,  but  west  of  it 
there  were  thick  woods,  which  effectually  concealed  the  Rebels. 
It  was  about  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  when  Sedgwick  ad- 
vanced up  the  plank-road,  with  Brooks's  division  in  the  road, 
Newton  north  of  it,  and  Howe  on  the  south  side.  Sedgwick's 
skirmishers  sent  back  word  that  the  Rebels  were  in  strong 
force  in  the  woods.  At  the  same  moment  the  Rebel  batteries 
opened  fire.  One  of  their  first  shells  killed  a  mounted  orderly 
and  his  horse,  and  wounded  Captain  Reed,  of  General  Brooks's 
staff. 

Sedgwick  brought  up  his  artillery  and  commenced  a  fire 
upon  the  church,  and  the  woods  beyond  it.  Wilcox  had 
formed  his  line  across  the  plank-road.  His  sharpshooters  were 
in  the  church.  He  had  four  pieces  of  artillery  in  the  road 
and  on  each  side  of  it.  He  also  threw  a  company  of  sharp- 
shooters into  a  school-house  near  the  church.     Kershaw's  and 


1863.]  CHANCELLORSVILLE.  207 

Wofford's  brigades  were  on  the  right  of  the  road  ;  Semmes^s 
and  Mahone's  on  the  other  side.  Sedgwick's  batteries  were  in 
position  near  the  toll-gate,  and  so  accurate  and  destructive  was 
the  fire  of  his  guns  that  the  Rebel  batteries  by  the  church  were 
driven  from  their  position.  Russell's  and  Bartlett's  brigades 
moved  forward  to  rout  the  enemy  from  the  woods,  Sedgwick 
supposing  there  was  but  a  small  force  to  oppose  him.  The 
advance  was  over  ground  slightly  ascending,  through  an  open 
field,  towards  the  woods,  where  the  Rebel  skirmishers  were 
lying.  It  is  a  narrow  belt  of  woods.  Behind  it  were  the  church 
and  school-house,  and  beyond  the  church  the  woods  where  the 
main  body  of  the  Rebels  were  lying.  They  drove  the  skirmish- 
ers from  the  belt  of  woods,  halted  a  moment  to  reform  their 
lines,  gave  three  cheers,  charged  through  the  grove,  routing 
the  Rebels  there  concealed.  They  surrounded  the  school 
house,  captured  the  entire  company  of  the  Ninth  Alabama 
stationed  in  it,  put  to  flight  a  regiment  lying  behind  the  house.* 
But  the  remainder  of  the  Ninth  Alabama,  with  other  regiments, 
came  to  the  rescue,  succeeded  in  recapturing  a  portion  of  their 
comrades,  and  forced  Russell  and  Bartlett  to  retire. 

It  was  now  nearly  six  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  till  night 
set  in  there  was  heavy  fighting  along  the  whole  line.  Wilcox 
and  Semmes  several  times  advanced  upon  Sedgwick,  but  were 
repulsed.  So  far  as  numbers  were  concerned  the  contest  was 
about  equal.  But  the  Rebels  were  on  commanding  ground, 
and  protected  by  the  woods,  while  Sedgwick  was  in  the  open 
field.  In  this  contest  Wilcox  lost  four  hundred  and  ninety-five 
men.  He  had  six  officers  killed  and  twenty-three  wounded. 
Semmes  lost  six  hundred  and  eighty-three  killed  and  wounded, 
Waffbrd  five  hundred  and  sixty-two.  The  whole  loss  of  the 
Rebels  in  the  fight  at  Salem  Church  was  nearly  two  thousand. 
Sedgwick,  instead  of  advancing  again,  waited  for  the  Rebels  to 
attack  him,  but  they  did  not  choose  to  come  out  from  their 
strong  position  in  the  woods,  and  try  it  a  second  time  in  the 
field.     Thus  the  day  closed. 

Sedgwick's  success  endangered  Lee,  and,  unless  Fredericks- 
burg were  regained,  the  battle  was  lost  to  the  Rebels.    Lee 


♦  Greneral  Wilcox's  Report. 


208 


THE   BOYS   OF   '61. 


[May, 


Union  Positions. 

1.  Newton's  Division. 

2.  Brooks's         " 

3.  Howe's  « 


Rebel  Positions. 

A.  Semmes  and  Mahone. 

B.  Wilcox. 

C.  Kershaw  and  Woflford. 

D.  Barksdale. 

E.  Reinforcements. 

F.  Dr.  Taylor's. 

G.  Route  of  Wilcox's  Retreat. 


1863.]  CHANCELLOKSVILLE.  *209 

"  The  enemy  had  so  strengthened  his  position  near  Chancellorsville 
that  it  was  deemed  inexpedient  to  assail  it  with  less  than  our  whole 
force,  which  could  not  be  concentrated  until  we  were  relieved  from  the 
danger  that  menaced  our  rear.  It  was  accordingly  resolved  still  further 
to  reinforce  the  troops  in  front  of  General  Sedgwick,  in  order,  if  possi- 
ble, to  dnve  him  across  the  Rappahannock.  Accordingly,  on  the  4:th, 
General  Anderson  was  directed  to  proceed  with  his  remaining  brigades 
to  join  Greneral  McLaws,  the  three  divisions  of  Jackson's  corps  holding 
our  position  at  Chancellorsville.  Anderson  reached  Salem  Church 
about  noon,  and  was  directed  to  gain  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy  and 
form  a  junction  with  Early."  * 

Half  of  the  Rebel  army  was  arrayed  against  Sedgwick,  wJio 
held  his  ground  through  the  4th  till  night.  Early,  during  the 
day,  retraced  his  steps  up  the  Telegraph  road,  and,  finding  that 
Sedgwick  had  moved  out  to  Salem  Church,  and  that  the  forti- 
fications were  unoccupied,  took  possession,  and  thus  cut  Sedg- 
wick's communications  with  Falmouth.  When  Anderson 
arrived  he  had  no  alternative  but  to  retreat  by  Banks's  Ford, 
where  he  crossed  the  river  without  loss  during  the  night. 
Hooker  also  recrossed,  took  up  his  bridges,  and  the  army  re- 
turned again  to  its  camp. 

In  reviewing  this  battle,  it  is  apparent  that  Hooker's  mov^ 
ment  to  Chancellorsville  was  a  surprise  to  Lee.  It  was  excel- 
lently planned  and  efficiently  executed,  —  each  corps  reaching 
its  assigned  position  at  the  time  appointed  by  the  Commander- 
in-Chief.  It  is  plain  that  Hooker's  departure  from  his  original 
intention  —  to  await  an  attack  from  Lee — was  the  cause  of 
the  disaster  at  the  beginning  of  the  engagement.  Sickles'e 
corps  and  Barlow's  brigade  being  absent,  the  balance  of  the 
Eleventh  Corps  had  no  supports ;  and  yet  by  Bushbeck's  brig- 
ade and  Dilger's  battery,  with  such  assistance  as  was  given  by 
a  few  brave  men  of  the  other  brigades,  Jackson's  right  was  not 
only  held  in  check,  but  thrown  into  confusion.  Howard's  state- 
ment of  the  case  presents  the  matter  in  its  true  light. 

Thus  reads  his  report :  — 

"  Now,  as  to  the  cause  of  this  disaster  to  my  corps. 
"  1st.  Though  constantly  threatened,  and  apprised  of  the  moving  of  the 
enemy,  yet  the  woods  were  so  dense  that  he  was  able  to  mass  a  large 

*  Lee's  Report,  p.  12. 


210  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

force,  whose  exact  whereabouts  neither  patrols,  reconnoissancers,  nor 
scouts  ascertained.  He  succeeded  in  forming  a  column  to  and  outflank- 
ing my  right. 

"  2d.  By  the  panic  produced  by  the  enemy's  reverse  fire,  regiments 
and  artillery  were  thrown  suddenly  upon  those  in  position. 

"3d.  The  absence  of  General  Barlow*s  brigade,  which  I  had  pre- 
viously located  in  reserve  and  en  echelon,  with  Colonel  Von  Gilsa's,  so 
as  to  cover  his  right  flank. 

"My  corps  was  very  soon  reorganized,  near  Chancellorsville,  and 
relieved  General  Meade's  corps  on  the  left  of  the  line,  where  it  remained 
till  Thursday  morning."  * 

Had  Sickles's  corps  and  Barlow's  brigade  been  in  the  line, 
there  would  have  been  not  only  no  disaster,  but  Jackson  would 
have  been  defeated  at  the  outset ;  for,  upon  the  return  of  those 
troops  from  Scott's  Run,  he  was  driven  with  great  loss. 

Jackson  was  driven  by  Sickles  when  the  Third  Corps  re- 
turned to  the  line ;  and  had  Sickles  and  Barlow  been  in  their 
proper  positions  when  the  attack  was  made,  they  could  have 
repulsed  him  with  greater  ease. 

Though  Jackson's  attack  was  successful,  it  is  not  therefore 
conclusively  evident  that  Lee's  plan  was  wise.  His  army  was 
divided  into  three  parts,  —  Early  at  Fredericksburg,  Lee  east 
of  Chancellorsville,  and  Jackson  northwest  of  it.  Being  thor- 
oughly acquainted  with  the  country,  he  was  able  to  take  Ills 
position  unobserved. 

There  were  several  opportunities  during  the  battle  when 
Hooker  could  have  broken  Lee's  lines.  The  battle  virtually 
was  lost  to  Lee  on  Sunday  noon.  Hooker  had  fallen  back 
from  Chancellorsville,  but  Sedgwick  had  taken  Fredericksburg. 
Had  Hooker,  when  he  ordered  Sedgwick  to  attack  Lee  in  the 
rear,  on  Sunday  afternoon,  himself  advanced,  Lee  would  have 
been  forced  to  aband?fn  the  contest ;  but,  having  resolved  at 
the  outset  to  stand  on  the  defensive,  the  Union  commander 
adhered  to  the  idea,  and  thus  Lee  was  able  to  retrieve  the 
disaster  at  Fredericksburg, — far  more  serious  than  that  which 
had  happened  to  the  Eleventh  Corps. 

Could  we  but  comprehend  the  ways  of  God,  we  might  per 
haps  discover  that  the  failure  of  the  Union  army  at  Chancellors 

*  Howard's  Report,  p.  9. 


1863.] 


OHANCELLORSVILLK 


211 


ville  was  not  owing  to  the  prowess  of  the  Rebels,  the  valor  of 
Stonewall  Jackson,  nor  the  strategy  of  Lee,  but  to  another 
cause.  When  the  army  came  into  position  at  Chancelloisville, 
the  commanding  general  is  reported  to  have  said  that  the  Al- 
mighty could  not  prevent  him  from  winning  a  victory.  God  is 
not  mocked  with  impunity.  There  is  one  anthem  rescTindiiig 
through  all  the  ages,  —  "  Te  Deum  Laudamus  !  *^ 


"KEEl»    OUT    OF    THE     DRAFT. 


212  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  L^^y* 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

CAVALRY    OPERATIONS. 

"  The  Yankees  can't  ride  horses ;  they  were  made  to  go  on 
foot  and  dig  in  the  dirt ;  but  the  men  of  the  South  are  true- 
born  cavaliers,  accustomed  from  their  childhood  to  the  sports 
of  the  field,"  said  a  Richmond  newspaper  at  the  beginning  of 
the  war ;  but  Zagoni's  charge  at  Springfield,  Pleasan ton's  at 
Barber's  Cross-Roads,  and  Dahlgren's  at  Fredericksburg  showed 
that  the  men  of  the  North  could  ride  to  some  purpose.  Up  to 
this  time  the  cavalry  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  taken 
little  part  in  the  great  battles  which  had  been  fought.  It  had 
been  divided  by  McClellan  into  squadrons,  and  attached  to 
brigades  of  infantry ;  but  Burnside,  before  his  resignation,  had 
begun  a  reorganization  of  the  cavalry.  Hooker  completed  the 
work  by  forming  a  cavalry  corps,  consisting  of  three  divisions, 
commanded  by  Major-General  Stoneman.  The  division  com- 
manders were  Generals  Pleasanton,  Gregg,  and  Averill.  In  the 
month  of  March,  Stoneman,  wishing  to  ascertain  the  position  of 
the  Rebel  cavalry,  sent  Averill's  division  across  the  Rappahan- 
nock, at  Kelley's  Ford.  The  Rebels  guarding  the  crossing  were 
nearly  all  captured.  Averill  pushed  out  towards  Culpepper,  but 
met  Stuart,  and  after  a  sharp  engagement  retired  across  the 
river. 

March  and  April  were  muddy;  but  Stoneman's  squadrons 
were  busy  foraging  the  country  north  of  the  Rappahannock, 
while  his  scouts  were  finding  their  way  through  Stuart's  lines, 
reaching  James  River,  entering  Richmond,  ascertaining  where 
supplies  for  the  Rebel  army  were  accumulated,  and  what  troops 
guarded  the  bridges  in  rear  of  Lee's  army.  They  discovered 
that  the  main  body  of  the  Rebel  cavalry  was  in  the  vicinity  of 
Culpepper  and  Orange  Court-House,  under  Fitz-Hugh  and 
Custis  Lee. 

One  feature  of  General  Hooker's  plan,  in  the  movement  to 


1863.]  CA^TALRY   OPERATIONS.  218 

Cliancellorsville,  was  the  destruction  of  Lee's  supplies  and  his 
communications  with  Richmond.  This  part  was  assigned  to  the 
cavalry.  Averill  was  sent  to  Bealton,  on  the  Orange  and  Alex- 
andria Railroad,  as  if  intending  a  movement  upon  Gcrdons- 
ville.  Stuart  sent  the  two  Lees  up  the  river  to  keep  watch, 
which  left  a  door  open  at  Germanna  Ford. 

Stonemaii  sent  aU  his  unserviceable  horses  and  men  to  Fal 
mouth..  Men  who  could  not  endure  hardship  and  exposure 
were  detailed  to  remain  and  guard  the  camp.  The  cavalrymen 
only  knew  that  there  was  to  be  a  movement  somewhere,  so  well 
kept  were  Hooker's  intentions. 

Pleasanton  was  ordered  to  accompany  Hooker  to  Chancellors- 
ville,  Averill  was  directed  to  cross  the  river  at  Rappahannock 
Station,  and  move  towards  Gordonsville,  while  Gregg's  division 
was  selected  to  strike  the  blow  which  would  cripple  Lee. 

On  the  29th  of  April,  when  the  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corp& 
reached  Kelley's  Ford,  on  the  Rappahannock,  Gregg,  who  was 
lying  there,  crossed  in  advance,  and  moved  west  towards  Cul- 
pepper. Averill  at  the  same  time  forded  the  river  at  Rappahan 
nock  Station,  four  miles  above,  and  moved  also  towards  Cul- 
pepper. There  was  a  small  force  of  Rebel  cavalry  in  that  town, 
but  Averill  charged  through  the  streets.  The  Rebels  made  a 
hasty  retreat  towards  Gordonsville,  crossing  the  Rapidan  at 
the  railroad  and  burning  the  bridge  behind  them.  Averill 
followed,  and  the  Lees  thought  that  Gordonsville  was  the 
point  aimed  at.  Gregg,  instead  of  going  to  Culpepper,  turned 
south  through  Stevensburg ;  and,  while  the  Eleventh  and  Twelfth 
Corps  were  crossing  the  Rapidan  at  Germanna  Ford,  his  troops 
were  fording  the  same  stream  eight  miles  higher  up. 

When  Gregg  arrived  at  Raccoon  Ford,  he  found  it  guarded 
by  a  strong  force  on  the  opposite  side,  intrenched  around  the 
house  of  Colonel  Porter,  which  overlooks  the  ford.  Gregg 
halted  his  column  in  the  field  and  woods,  near  the  house  of 
Mr.  Stringfellow,  on  the  northern  bank,  and  made  demonstra- 
tions as  if  to  cross.  He  opened  with  his  artillery,  which  was 
replied  to  by  the  Rebels.  While  the  enemy  was  thus  diverted, 
a  small  force  was  sent  to  Morton's  Ford,  two  miles  below,  which 
crossed  without  opposition,  dashed  up  the  road,  and  came  upon 
the  Rebels  in  rear  of  Colonel  Porter's  house.     They  fled  ta 


214  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Maj, 

wards  Orange  Court-House.  Lieutenant  Gaskell,  with  a  por- 
tion of  the  Fifth  United  States  Cavalry,  followed  them  five  miles, 
capturing  an  ofiicer  and  several  men.  The  division  crossed, 
and  bivouacked  on  the  hills  around  Colonel  Porter's  house  for 
the  night.  This  movement  of  Gregg's  compelled  the  Lees,  who 
intended  to  fight  Averill  at  Rapidan  Station,  to  make  a  hasty 
retreat  towards  Gordonsville,  for  Gregg  was  on  their  flank. 
Averill  crossed  the  stream,  driving  back  the  Rebels,  and  by  his 
movement  deceiving  the  enemy.  He  followed  them  nearly  to 
Gordonsville,  remained  till  Gregg's  division  was  well  on  its  way, 
then  recrossed  the  stream,  and  rejoined  Hooker. 

The  night  of  the  30th  of  April  was  cold  and  the  ground  damp, 
but  no  fires  were  allowed.  At  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  the 
men  were  roused  from  sleep,  not  by  the  bugle-call,  but  by  low- 
spoken  words.  They  were  soon  ready  to  move,  but  were  obliged 
to  wait  till  daylight  for  a  guide.  Four  hours  of  valuable  time 
were  lost  by  this  delay. 

The  column  moved  along  the  road  which  runs  south  from 
Raccoon  Ford  to  Louisa  Court-House,  at  Greenwood.  It  crossed 
Mountain  Run  soon  after  daylight,  reached  the  Fredericksburg 
plank-road,  and  moved  on  the  north  fork  of  the  North  Anna. 
A  small  body  dashed  into  Orange  Spring  early  in  the  morning, 
and  captured  a  lieutenant  of  Jackson's  staff,  and  a  wagon 
loaded  with  intrenching  tools.  Squadrons  were  sent  out  in  all 
directions,  —  on  the  side-roads  and  by-paths,  through  the  fields 
and  fciests,  —  telling  the  people  everywhere  that  Hooker's 
whole  army  was  on  the  march,  creating  the  impression  among 
the  people  that  Hooker  was  making  a  swift  descent  upon 
Richmond.  The  soldiers  helped  themselves  to  chickens,  tur- 
keys, lambs,  and  obtained  breakfasts  in  the  houses  of  the 
farmers,  who  were  astonished  at  their  sudden  appearance,  and 
their  unceremonious  way  of  sitting  down  to  breakfast  without 
being  asked.  They  visited  stables,  seized  or  exchanged  horses 
without  paying  any  boot.  Great  was  the  excitement  among  the 
negroes,  who  poured  out  from  the  cabins  with  wild  expres- 
sions of  joy.  Hundreds  of  them  joined  the  column,  witliout 
saying  good  by  to  their  masters.  The  citizens  were  sullen,  but 
the  women  gave  free  utterance  to  their  feelings. 

Gregg  reached  Louisa  Court-House,  twenty  miles  from  Rao> 


A    NIGHT    MARCH    OF    CAVALRY 


c    •     c    •»    c 


1863.]  CAVALRY   OPERATIONS.  216 

joon  Ford,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  The  Virginia  Cen- 
tral Railroad,  from  Richmond  to  Gordonsville,  passes  through 
the  town.  A  large  quantity  of  supplies  was  in  store  there, 
guarded  by  several  hundred  Rebel  cavalry,  who,  when  they 
heard  that  the  "  Yankees  "  were  coming,  sent  off  what  they 
could  on  a  train  of  cars,  and  then  fled  to  Gordonsville.  Gregg 
sent  out  a  regiment  in  pursuit,  while  the  main  body  of  his 
command  bivouacked  in  the  field  west  of  the  Court-House. 
Small  bodies  were  detailed  east  and  west  along  the  railroad, 
tearing  up  the  track,  burning  the  ties,  and  destroying  all  the 
culverts  and  bridges  in  the  vicinity. 

It  was  the  first  time  that  the  people  of  Louisa  Court-House 
had  "been  visited  by  the  Yankees.  They  had  lived  in  security, 
never  entertaining  the  thought  that  the  "  Yankees  "  could  pen- 
etrate so  far  into  the  interior.  They  wanted  high  pay  for  all 
they  had  to  sell,  but  were  ready  to  make  a  great  discount 
between  Confederate  currency  and  greenbacks.  Gregg  was 
now  east  of  Gordonsville  and  Averill  north  of  it.  Gregg  sent 
a  portion  of  the  First  Maine  Cavalry  towards  the  place,  as  if 
Intending  to  proceed  in  that  direction.  Three  or  four  miles  west 
of  the  Court-House  the  Maine  men  encountered  a  large  force, 
which  had  been  sent  by  Fitz-Hugh  Lee.  The  ofiicer  command- 
ing the  party  sent  word  to  Gregg,  and  fell  back  slowly ;  but  the 
Rebels  charged  upon  him,  killed  two,  and  captured  twenty- 
eight.  Gregg  formed  his  division  for  battle,  and  the  Rebels 
retreated  towards  Gordonsville. 

At  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  railroad  and  depot  build- 
ings having  been  destroyed,  the  column  turned  southeast,  crossed 
the  South  Anna,  passing  through  Yancjmlle,  a  little  village  on 
that  stream,  moved  down  the  river,  and  reached  Thompson's 
Cross-Roads  at  eleven  o'clock. 

Up  to  this  time  General  Stoneman  had  not  informed  his 
officers  of  his  intentions.  He  called  them  together  at  midnight 
and  gave  them  their  instructions. 

"  You  are  to  destroy  the  bridges  over  the  North  Anna,  and 
break  up  Lee's  communications  in  that  direction,"  were  his 
instructions  to  Gregg. 

"  Colonel  Davis  will  destroy  the  bridges  over  the  South 
Anna,  south  of  the  Fredericksburg  Railroad." 


21b  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May 

"  Oolouel  Wyndham,  witli  details  of  regiments  from  hip 
brigade,  will  reach  the  James  River  at  Columbia,  and  destroy 
the  bridge  there  and  break  up  the  canal." 

**  Colonel  Kilpatrick,  with  the  Harris  Light  Cavalry,  will 
move  to  the  Chickahominy,  and  burn  the  bridges  across  that 
stream." 

Stoneman  himself,  with  the  main  force,  was  to  remain  there, 
and  cover  the  movement.  When  the  object  each  conmiander 
had  in  view  was  accomplished,  they  were  allowed  the  widest 
latitude  for  other  operations. 

At  half  past  *-wo  o'clock  Sunday  morning,  May  3d,  the  various 
columns  are  in  motion .  It  is  a  bright  moonlight  night.  Gregg 
moves  northeast,  Davis  east,  Kilpatrick  southeast,  and  Wynd- 
ham south. 

At  this  moment,  Lee  at  Chancellorsville  is  arranging  for 
his  second  attack  on  Hooker ;  Sedgwick  preparing  to  storm  the 
heights  of  Fredericksburg ;  Stonewall  Jackson  is  mortally 
wounded,  and  lying  in  a  house  at  Guinea's  Station.  Averill  is 
hastening  to  withdraw  from  the  vicinity  of  Orange  Court- 
House,  when  he  should  be  moving  on  towards  Gordonsville. 
Couriers  are  flying  through  the  country,  along  the  roads  lead- 
ing to  Richmond,  with  the  astounding  intelligence  that  "  the 
Yankees  are  coming !  " 

General  Gregg  has  the  First  Maine  and  Tenth  New  York, 
vrith  two  pieces  of  artillery.  He  moves  rapidly  up  the  Central 
Railroad.  There  are  no  troops  to  oppose  him.  He  burns  the 
station  at  Beaver  Dam,  and  Anderson's  bridge  across  the  North 
Anna,  about  three  miles  north  of  the  station.  He  sends  out 
detachments  along  the  railroad,  burning  all  the  bridges  in  the 
vicinity.  Another  detachment  moves  to  the  South  Anna,  along 
the  Richmond  and  Gordonsville  turnpike,  and  destroys  the 
iiridge  called  the  Ground-Squirrel  bridge,  over  that  stream. 
Having  accomplished  the  object  of  the  expedition,  without  any 
Ujss,  Gregg  returns  and  rejoins  Stoneman  at  Thompson's  Cross- 
Roads  the  5th  of  May  having  made  a  forced  march  of  seventy 
miles,  and  doing  great  damage. 

Kilpatrick  and  Davis  are  near  together  in  their  movements, 
going  oast  and  southeast.  Kilpatrick  makes  his  first  halt  thir- 
teen miles  from  Richmond.     There  are  bodies  of  Rebel  troopa 


1863.J  CAVALRY   OPERATIONS.  217 

around  him,  —  a  large  force  at  Hanover  Junction,  other 
troops  in  the  vicinity  of  Ashland,  and  others  moving  out  from 
the  city  to  intercept  him.  His  only  safety  is  in  a  rapid,  auda- 
cious movement.  At  daylight  on  Monday  morning.  May  4th, 
after  a  short  rest  for  his  men  and  horses,  he  is  again  in  motion, 
directly  towavd  Richmond.  He  strikes  the  Fredericksburg 
railroad  at  Hungary  Station,  five  miles  from  the  city,  burns  the 
depot,  tears  up  the  track,  pushes  directly  down  the  Brooke  pike, 
till  he  can  see  the  spires  of  the  city,  only  two  miles  distant. 

There  is  great  excitement  in  the  city,  —  riding  to  and  fro  of 
officers  and  couriers,  mustering  of  militia,  turning  out  of  clerks 
from  the  departments,  shouldering  of  muskets  and  hasty  buck- 
ling on  of  cartridge-boxes,  forming  lines  and  hastening  out  to 
the  intrenchmehts.  Frightened  farmers  ride  in  from  all  direc- 
tions with  the  intelligence  that  the  country  is  swarming  with 
Yankees.  A  company  of  artillery  and  a  considerable  force  of 
infantry,  with  cavalry  pickets  and  scouts,  which  are  moving  out 
on  the  Brooke  pike,  are  seized  with  a  panic  and  rush  oacK  to 
the  city.  The  bells  are  rung.  The  confusion  and  consterna- 
tion increase.  Men  hide  their  valuables.  Women  and  children 
cross  the  river  to  Manchester.  The  Union  prisoners,  who  have 
been  suffering  the  horrors  of  Libby  Prison  for  many  months, 
looking  through  their  iron-grated  windows,  behold  the  commo- 
tion. They  can  hear  the  booming  of  Kilpatrick's  guns.  Their 
hearts  bound  with  indescribable  joy.  They  are  thrilled  with 
the  thought  that  deliverance  is  at  hand. 

Kilpatrick  captures  Lieutenant  Brown,  an  aide-de-camp  of 
General  Winder,  and  an  escort  accompanying  him,  within  the 
fortifications.  He  paroles  him,  dating  the  parole  at  the  city  of 
Richmond. 

"  You  are  a  mighty  darmg  sort  of  fellows,  but  you  '11  cer- 
tainly be  captured  before  sundown,"  said  the  aide. 

"  That  may  all  be,  but  we  intend  to  do  a  mighty  deal  of  mis- 
chief first,"  replied  Kilpatrick.* 

He  leaves  a  portion  of  the  troops  with  his  artillery,  which 
engages  the  Rebel  batteries,  while,  guided  by  a  negro,  with 
a  small  detachment  he  moves  through  the  fields  to  the  rail- 

*  Kilpatrick  and  Oni  Cavalry,  p.  49. 


218  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

road,  burns  Meadow  bridge,  running  a  train  of  cars  into  the 
stream.  With  one  regiment  of  cavahy  he  reaches  the  Rebel 
fortifications,  captures  Rebels  inside  them,  plants  his  batteries, 
and  throws  shells  almost  into  the  city  of  Richmond,  in  face  of 
their  own  batteries,  destroys  communication  with  Lee,  burning 
bridges,  tearing  up  railroad  tracks,  pulling  down  telegraph 
wire,  running  a  train  of  cars  into  the  river,  with  rebel  troops 
all  around  him. 

Having  accomplished  this  he  moves  northeast,  for  he  can  see 
Rebel  columns  moving  up  the  Brooke  pike  and  Mechanicsville 
road,  to  cut  off  his  retreat.  He  dismisses  all  hope  of  returning 
to  Stoneman.  It  is  a  critical  moment.  He  must  move  hi  some 
direction  at  once.     He  consults  his  map. 

"  To  horse,  men  !  We  are  all  right !  We  are  safe  yet."  * 
With  a  faithful  negro  to  guide  him,  he  moves  through  woods 
and  fields,  along  by-paths  and  cross  roads,  going  cast  and  north- 
east, to  Hanover  Town,  on  the  Pamunkey.  His  horses  are 
jaded,  but  he  makes  a  hard  ride,  reaches  the  place  in  safety, 
crosses  the  stream,  sets  fire  to  the  bridge,  halts  his  men  upon 
the  northern  bank.  The  Rebels,  in  hot  pursuit,  come  down 
to  the  other  bank,  mortified  and  chagrined  and  enraged  at  his 
escape.  The  Yankees  throw  up  their  caps,  and  greet  them 
with  a  hearty  cheer.  Scouts  come  in  and  report  a  train  of 
thirty  wagons  loaded  with  corn  for  the  Rebel  army  near  by. 
Balpatrick  captures  them,  feeds  his  horses  with  what  corn  ho 
needs,  destroys  the  rest,  moves  five  miles  up  the  river,  bivouacks 
for  the  night,  remains  till  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the 
6th,  then  moving  rapidly  north  to  Aylett's,  near  Mattapony 
River,  surprises  three  hundred  Rebel  cavalry,  capturing  two 
officers,  thirty-three  men,  burning  fifty-six  wagons  and  a  build 
mg  containing  twenty  thousand  barrels  of  corn  and  wheat, 
quantities  of  clothing  and  commissary  stores,  safely  crossing 
the  Mattapony  in  season  to  escape  the  advance  of  the  Rebel 
cavalry  in  pursuit.  Pushing  on,  later  in  the  evening,  he  de 
stroys  a  third  wagon  train,  burns  buildings  containing  a  large 
amount  of  corn,  near  Tappahannock,  then  turning  southeast, 
makmg  a  forced  march  of  twenty  miles,  reaches  King  and 

*  Eilpatrick  and  our  Cavalxy,  p.  50 


1863.]  OAVALBY   OPERATIONS.  219 

Queen  Court-House,  where  ho  finds  a  body  of  cavalry  drawn 
up  to  dispute  his  passage.  He  prepares  to  charge,  but  sudden- 
ly discovers  that  it  is  a  portion  of  the  Twelfth  Illinois  of  Colonel 
Davis's  command.  The  meeting  is  a  joyful  one.  The  two 
commands  move  on  together,  marching  southeast,  reaching 
Gloucester  Point  at  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  7th, 
where  they  find  rest  and  safety  under  the  guns  of  the  Union 
fortifications,  making  a  march  of  nearly  two  hundred  miles  in 
less  than  five  days,  with  a  loss  of  only  one  officer  and  thirty- 
seven  men,  having  captured  and  paroled  upward  of  three  hun- 
dred of  the  enemy.* 

"  Who  will  convey  news  to  Hooker  of  our  success  ?  "  was 
the  question  put  by  Ealpatrick  when  at  Aylett's,  after  routing 
the  Rebels  there. 

"  I  am  ready  to  go,"  was  the  quick  response  of  Lieutenant 
Estes  of  the  First  Maine,  who  was  actmg  as  aide  to  Kilpatrick. 
To:i  men  were  detailed  to  accompany  him.  They  struck 
across  the  cou-itry  north,  and  reached  the  Rappahannock  at 
Tappahannock  Court-House,  dashing  into  that  place,  and 
capturing  a  lieutenant  and  fifteen  men !  whom  they  paroled. 
The  river  was  swollen,  and  they  could  not  cross.  The  whole 
country  was  alarmed.  The  militia  were  assembling.  There 
were  three  hundred  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  The 
officer  in  command  sent  over  a  flag  of  truce  demanding  the 
Lieutenant  to  surrender ;  but  Lieutenant  Estes  had  no  inten- 
tion of  giving  up  just  then.  Finding  that  he  could  not  go 
north,  he  turned  south.  In  his  flight  he  came  upon  a  Rebel 
major,  two  captains,  and  three  privates,  who  were  captured  and 
paroled.  But  the  militia  were  close  upon  the  brave  Lieuten- 
ant, who  found  himself  and  party  caught  in  a  trap  between  the 
river  and  the  Great  Dragon  Swamp.  Seeing  that  they  could 
not  escape  on  horseback,  they  abandoned  their  horses  and  took 
to  the  swamp.  The  militia  surrounded  it,  and  set  bloodhounds 
on  the  track  of  the  fugitives,  who  were  finally  captured,  and 
sent  off  towards  Richmond,  under  a  strong  guard  ;  but  before 
they  reached  the  Mattapony,  Kilpatrick  set  them  at  liberty  and 
took  the  Rebsl  guard  along  with  him  to  Gloucester,  accompa* 

♦  Kilpatrick's  Report 


220  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

uied  by  thousands  of  negroes,  on  foot,  in  carts,  wagons,  and  old 
family  carriages,  drawn  by  mules,  oxen,  and  sometimes  by  cows, 
—  packed  full,  and  loaded  down  on  top,  by  the  dark-hued  but 
light-hearted  creatures,  who  had  heard  of  the  proclamation  of 
President  Lincoln,  and  were  ready  to  accept  freedom  at  the 
hands  of  the  Yankees.  After  resting  a  few  days,  Kilpatrick 
crossed  the  river  on  transports,  marched  up  the  tongue  of  land 
between  the  Rappahannock  and  Potomac,  and  joined  Hooker  at 
Falmouth,  having  made  a  complete  circuit  of  the  Rebel  army. 

When  Colonel  Wyndham  left  Thompson's  Cross-Roads  on 
the  morning  of  the  3d,  he  moved  rapidly  southwest  towards  tho 
James,  striking  it  at  Columbia.  The  distance  was  about  twen- 
ty miles.  There  were  many  small  creeks  to  cross,  but  Wynd- 
ham reached  Columbia  at  eight  o'clock.  The  people  had  just 
finished  breakfast  when  a  man,  riding  furiously,  his  hair  wet 
with  foam,  came  dashing  down  the  street,  shouting  "  The  Yan- 
kees are  coming !  the  Yankees  are  coming  !  " 

The  people  laughed ;  some  thought  him  crazy.  The  Yan- 
Kees  coming  ?  Impossible !  But  a  column  of  men  in  blue, 
with  gleaming  sabres,  dashed  down  the  road  into  the  village. 
Tkere  were  no  Rebel  soldiers  in  the  vicinity  to  oppose  Wynd- 
ham. Some  of  the  citizens  fled  in  consternation  across  the 
James,  giving  the  alarm.  But  the  people  over  the  river  would 
uot  believe  their  stories. 

"  I  '11  go  and  see  for  myself,"  said  an  old  farmer,  who  mount- 
ed his  horse  and  took  one  of  his  best  servants  with  him.  He 
went  on  till  he  was  in  sight  of  the  Yankees,  then  stopped  and 
looked  at  them  in  amazement.  Suddenly  his  servant  dashed 
away  straight  towards  the  Yankees. 

"  Stop !  come  back !  "  he  shouted,  but  the  negro  galloped 
boldly  into  Wyndham' s  lines,  bringing  an  excellent  horse,  wliilo 
his  late  master  turned  the  other  way,  more  amazed  than  ever. 

Some  of  the  soldiers  told  the  inhabitants  that  they  belonged 
to  Stuart's  command  ;  and  the  word  spread  that  they  were  not 
Yankees  after  all.  A  young  fellow,  the  son  of  a  rich  farmer, 
rode  boldly  into  the  lines  to  see  Stuart's  cavalry. 

"  Has  Lee  licked  the  Yankees  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  I  reckon,"  said  a  cavalryman. 

"  Good  !  "  said  the  boy. 


1863.]  CAVALRY   OPERATIONS.  221 

"  See  here,  my  friend,  my  horse  has  gi'n  out.  I  am  on  im- 
portant business  ;  I  should  like  to  exchange  horses  with  you. 
General  Stuart  will  make  it  all  right  with  you  when  he  comes 
this  way,"  said  the  soldier,  who,  without  further  ceremony,  put 
his  saddle  upon  the  noble-blooded  animal,  while  the  young  man 
looked  on  in  amazement. 

Many  of  the  Rebel  cavalrymen  were  dressed  in  blue  cloth- 
ing, which  had  been  stripped  from  prisoners,  and  that  was  the 
reason  why  the  inhabitants  were  at  a  loss  to  know  whether 
they  were  Yankees  or  Rebels. 

Colonel  Wyndham  burned  the  bridge  across  the  James,  de- 
stroyed several  canal-boats  loaded  with  supplies,  burned  a  ware- 
house filled  with  corn  and  medical  stores,  dug  sluices  in  the 
banks  of  the  canal,  and  attempted  to  destroy  the  locks,  but  did 
not  succeed.  He  remained  till  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
then  pushed  down  the  river  five  miles,  moved  north,  then  north- 
west, and  reached  Stoneman  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  ac- 
companied by  hundreds  of  negroes.  When  the  alarm  was  given 
on  a  plantation  that  the  Yankees  were  coming,  the  farmers  made 
all  haste  to  secrete  their  horses. 

"  Here  I  Jim,  Sam,  Cufiee,  take  the  horses  into  the  woods. 
Quick ! "  There  was  a  grand  commotion  in  all  the  stables, 
the  negroes  mounting  the  horses  and  riding  into  the  thick 
bushes ;  but  as  soon  as  they  were  out  of  their  masters'  sight, 
they  made  for  the  Yankees  by  the  shortest  route  !  They  were 
ready  to  do  anything  for  their  deliverers.  They  kept  close 
watch  while  the  soldiers  rested ;  visited  plantations,  bringing 
in  chickens,  turkeys,  calves,  and  lambs,  and  cooked  delicious 
suppers  for  the  whole  command.  They  kept  Stoneman  in- 
formed of  what  was  going  on.  He  learned  that  in  two  hours 
after  Wyndham  left  Columbia,  a  large  body  of  cavalry  entered 
the  place  in  pursuit,  but  Wyndham  moved  so  rapidly  they  could 
not  overtake  him. 

A  portion  of  Buford's  brigade,  the  First  Regulars,  dashed 
along  the  Virginia  Central  Railroad,  and  tore  up  the  track. 
A  company  went  to  the  North  Anna,  drove  off  a  guard  of  in- 
fantry from  a  bridge,  captured  five  prisoners,  burned  the  bridge, 
and  returned  to  Stoneman  without  losing  a  man. 

The  Fifth  Regulars  went  down  the  Jamss  to  Cartersville 


222  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [Maj, 

twelve  miles  below  Columbia,  to  destroy  a  bridge.  They  met  a 
portion  of  Lee's  brigade.  There  was  skirmishing  ;  but  while 
one  portion  of  the  Regulars  was  holding  the  Rebels  in  check, 
another  party  reached  the  bridge,  set  it  on  fire,  and  then  the 
whole  force  returned  to  Stoneman. 

The  Rebels  all  the  while  were  hovering  round  Stoneman  on 
the  southwest,  but  did  not  dare  to  attack  him.  They  did  not 
know  what  to  make  of  the  conflicting  stories.  "  The  Yankees 
are  at  Frcdcrickshall,  at  Ashland,  at  Columbia,  at  Thompson's 
Cross-Roads,  at  Louisa,  at  Richmond,"  were  the  reports.  The 
country  swarmed  with  Yankees  ;  every  farmer  had  his  story  of 
woo,  of  stolen  horses  and  runaway  negroes ;  the  farmers'  wives 
and  daughters  mourned  over  lost  chickens,  of  meat-houses  bro- 
ken open,  jars  of  jelly  and  preserves  carried  away.  Few  of  the 
Virginia  farmers  had  ever  seen  a  regiment  of  cavalry,  and  when 
the  lines  filed  down  the  narrow  roads,  a  squadron  was  magni- 
fied to  a  regiment,  and  a  hundred  men  became  a  thousand. 

On  Tuesday  afternoon,  all  of  the  detachments  except  Kilpat- 
rick's  and  a  portion  of  Davis's  having  returned,  Stoneman 
commenced  his  homeward  march,  and  recrossed  the  Rapidan 
at  Raccoon  Ford,  in  safety,  though  he  was  obliged  to  swim  his 
horses  through  the  swollen  stream.  There  was  no  enemy  to 
molest  him,  none  to  hang  upon  his  rear.  Ho  recrossed  the 
Rappahannock  at  Kelley's  Ford,  and  rejoined  Hooker  at  Fal- 
mouth, having  successfully  acoomplished  what  ho  had  imder- 
taken. 

The  Rebels  we^e  mortified,  chagrined,  and  exasperated.  The 
success  which  they  had  achieved  in  compelling  Hooker  to  re- 
tire from  Cliancellorsville  was  in  a  measure  counterbalanced 
by  Stoneman's  operations,  especially  by  Kilpatrick's  audacious 
exploits. 

This  cavalry  movement  was  the  first  great  raid  of  the  war. 
It  was  not  only  a  success,  but  it  toughened  the  soldiers  and 
prepared  them  for  the  hardships  and  battles  which  followed  on 
the  Upper  Rappahannock,  at  Aldie,  Middleburg,  and  Gettys- 
burg. It  gave  confidence.  The  men  felt  that  they  were  no 
longer  the  laughing-stock  of  the  army.  They  had  other  em- 
ployment now  than  guarding  teams  or  keeping  watch  on 
the  picket  line.     There  was  pleasurable  excitement  in  rid- 


1863.] 


CAVALRY   OPERATIONS. 


228 


ing  tlirougli  the  enemy's  country,  making  dashes  into  Tillages, 
charging  upon  the  enemy,  riding  through  the  dense  forests,  and 
finding  good  living  at  every  farm-house.  There  were  plenty  of 
volunteers  for  any  enterprise. 

A  few  days  later  Stuart  attempted  a  counter  raid  in  rear  of 
the  army,  but  was  driven  across  the  Rappahannock  with  ease. 
Then  came  the  severe  struggle  at  Brandy  Station.  Lee  had 
started  on  his  Gettysburg  campaign,  and  Stuart  was  kept  on 
the  flank  to  conceal  the  movement,  but  Kilpatrick  and  Gregg 
unmasked  it.  Then  as  Stuart  swung  along  the  base  of  the 
Blue  Ridge,  while  Lee  went  down  the  Shenandoah  with  the 
infantry,  the  contest  was  renewed  in  a  running  fight  from 
Aldie  to  Snicker's  Gap.  In  all  of  these  engagements  the  su- 
periority of  the  Union  cavalry  was  fully  established.  The 
Union  soldiers  had  learned  to  ride  horses  ;  and  from  Stone- 
man's  raid  to  the  capture  of  Jeff  Davis  they  rode  to  some 
purpose 


224  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  [MOTCtl, 


CHAPTER    XV. 

THE    ATLANTIC    COAST 

The  encounter  between  the  Merrimack  and  the  Monitor  had 
set  the  world  agog  on  the  matter  of  armored  vessels.  A  fleet 
of  ironclads  had  been  prepared,  with  the  special  object  in  view 
of  recapturing  Fort  Sumter.  It  was  an  event  looked  forward 
to  with  intense  interest,  not  only  in  the  North,  but  tlu-oughout 
the  civilized  world.  Having  a  desire  to  witness  that  attack,  I 
proceeded  South,  leaving  New  York  on  the  7th  of  February, 
1863,  on  board  the  steamer  Augusta  Dinsmore,  belonging  to 
Adams's  Express.  Captain  Crowell,  her  commander,  was  a 
sharp-eyed  Connecticut  Yankee,  who  kept  the  lead  constantly 
going  as  we  ran  down  the  coast,  and  who  was  as  well  acquaint- 
ed with  all  the  soundings  as  the  skipper  of  Nantucket  immor 
talized  by  Mr.  Fields,  who  detected  the  soil  of  Marm  Hackett's 
garden  by  smell  and  taste,  although  Nantucket  had  sunk. 

The  harbor  of  Port  Royal  was  crowded  with  shipping.  Gen- 
eral Foster's  force  from  North  Carolina  had  just  arrived,  to 
participate  in  a  land  movement.  General  Hunter  was  in  com- 
mand of  the  department,  and  there  arose  at  once  a  question 
of  jurisdiction,  which  paralyzed  the  operations  of  the  army. 
The  officers  and  soldiers  at  Port  Royal,  weary  with  doing  noth- 
ing, had  fitted  up  a  theatre.  The  building  was  used  for  church 
services  on  Sunday.  Attending  the  morning  service  the  day 
after  our  arrival,  I  found  an  audience  of  about  one  hundred 
persons,  among  them  General  Hunter  and  staff.  The  clergy- 
man, an  Episcopalian,  in  a  rusty  black  gown,  stood  upon  the 
stage.  A  soldier  played  a  mclodeon  and  conducted  the  sing- 
ing. In  the  afternoon  there  was  a  business  meeting  in  the 
African  Baptist  church,  which  I  also  attended.  Rev.  Abraham 
Murchison,  a  tall  coppcr-hued  negro,  was  pastor,  and  presided 
over  the  deliberations.  He  had  been  a  slave  in  Savannah,  but 
made  his  way  to  our  lines,  was  a  storekeeper  or  huckster  on 


1863.]  THE  ATLANTIC  COAST.  225 

week-days,  and  preached  on  Sunday.  The  church  was  a  plain 
wooden  building,  erected  by  order  of  General  Mitchell  for  an 
African  church.  There  were  two  rows  of  benches,  a  plain  pine 
pulpit,  a  ventilated  ceiling,  from  which  three  or  four  glass  lamps 
were  suspended,  —  all  being  very  much  like  the  rude  churches 
to  be  found  in  the  thinly-settled  prairies  of  Illinois.  The  con- 
gregation were  singing  when  we  entered,  — 

"  Sweet  fields  beyond  the  swelling  flood 
Stand  dressed  in  living  green, 
So  to  the  Jews  fair  Canaan  stood, 
While  Jordan  rolled  between." 

Tlio  leader  was  a  round-headed,  compact,  energetic  negro, 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  whose  zeal  was  bounded  only  by  the 
capacity  of  his  lungs.  It  was  the  well-known  tune  "  Jordan," 
sung  by  millions  in  times  past  and  present.  The  women  oc- 
cupied one  side  of  the  house,  the  men  sitting  opposite.  It 
was  a  dusky  view,  looking  down  the  aisle  from  my  seat  at  the 
right  of  the  pulpit.  They  were  countenances  not  types  of 
beauty,  not  attractive  intellectually.  But  there  was  perfect 
decorum  and  solemnity.  All  heads  were  bowed  wlien  the 
preacher  addressed  the  Throne  of  Grace.  It  was  a  prayer 
fuU  of  supplications  and  thanksgiving,  expressed  in  fitting 
words. 

The  church  had  a  case  of  discipline.  Their  sexton  had 
been  remiss  in  lighting  the  lamps,  and  was  arraigned  for  trial. 
The  pastor  called  the  sexton  to  the  front,  and  thus  indicted 
him :  — 

"  John,  my  son,  you  are  arraigned  for  not  doing  as  you  have 
agreed,  and  covenanted  to  do.  We  pay  you  one  hundred  and 
twenty  dollars  a  year  for  lighting  these  yere  beautiful  lamps 
which  the  church  have  so  generously  provided,  and,  sir,  you 
have  been  remiss  in  your  duty.  On  Thursday  night,  wlien  we 
were  assembled  for  holy  prayer,  we  were  in  darkness.  You  did 
wrong.  You  broke  your  obligations.  You  must  be  punished. 
What  say  you  ?     Brethren,  we  will  hear  what  he  has  to  say." 

"  I  lighted  the  lamps,  sah,  but  they  went  out ;  de  oil  was 
bad,  I  reckon,"  said  the  sexton. 

The  pastor  called  upon  one  of  the  deacons  to  take  the  chair. 
He  was  of  middle  age,  black  as  anthracite  coal,  bald-headed, 


226  TPiE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [March, 

and  was  dressed  in  pants  and  coat  made  of  old  sail-cloth.  Bj 
his  side  sat  his  colleague,  wearing  a  United  States  soldiers' 
blue  overcoat.  The  preacher,  taking  his  stand  in  the  aisle, 
laid  aside  his  clerical  authority,  and  became  one  of  the  breth- 
ren. "  Brother  cheerman,  our  brother  am  presump^ws.  He 
say  he  light  de  lamps  and  dey  go  out.  How  does  he  know  dey 
go  out  ?  He  ought  to  stay  and  see  dey  don't  go  out.  He  am 
presumptus  and  should  be  punished.  I  move,  sir,  dat  our 
brother  be  set  aside  from  commin  to  de  Lord's  table  till  he  make 
satisfaction." 

A  brother  seconded  the  motion,  and  the  question  was  put  by 
the  deacon.  Two  or  three  voted  affirmatively,  but  nearly  all 
negatively.  The  question  was  not  understood.  The  preacher 
explained :  "  You  is  discomposed  in  your  minds.  You  do  not 
understand  de  question.  Can  any  of  you  tell  me  how  you 
voted?" 

The  question  was  put  a  second  time,  and  the  offending  mem- 
ber was  unanimously  debarred  the  privileges  of  the  church. 

After  the  discipline  a  candidate  for  admission  was  presented, 
ft  stout  young  man,  named  Jonas. 

"  Well,  my  son,  where  are  you  from  ? "  said  the  pastor. 

"  From  Charleston,  sir." 

"  Was  you  a  member  of  the  church  there,  my  son  ?  '* 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  was  a  member  of  the  church." 

"  Does  any  one  here  know  anything  about  Jonas  ?  " 

A  half-dozen  responded  "  Yes,"  all  agreeing  that  his  deport- 
ment was  correct. 

"  Did  you  bring  your  'stificate  with  you  ?  " 

"  No,  sir ;  I  came  away  in  a  hurry,  and  had  n't  any  time  to 
get  one." 

"  Yes,  my  son ;  we  understand  that  you  were  obliged  to 
leave  in  a  hurry  or  not  at  all.  But  what  made  you  become  a 
Christian  ?  " 

"  Because  I  felt  I  was  a  sinner." 

"  Did  you  pray,  my  son  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir ;  and  I  feel  that  through  the  mercy  of  Jesus  Christ 
my  sins  are  pardoned." 

It  was  a  simple  narrative,  and  expressed  with  evident  con- 
sciousness of  the  solemnity  of  the  declaration.     It  was  plain 


1863.1  THE  ATLANTIC  COAST.  227 

that  in  spiritual  things  these  people  were  further  advanced 
than  in  business  matters.  The  evidence  was  satisfactory,  and 
the  member  received  by  an  extension  of  right  hand  of  fel- 
lowship on  the  part  of  the  pastor.  In  the  evening  Rev.  Mr. 
Murchison  preached  from  the  text,  "  And  they  shall  call  upon 
the  rocks  and  mountains  to  fall  upon  them,"  <fec. 

It  was  a  crude,  disjointed  discourse,  having  very  little  logic, 
a  great  many  large  words,  some  of  them  ludicrously  misap- 
plied, yet  contained  striking  thoughts,  and  appro])riate  similes. 
This  was  a  congregation  standing  on  the  lowest  step  of  civili- 
zation. Minister  and  people  were  but  a  twelvemonth  out  of 
bondage.  All  behind  them  was  barbarism.  Before  them  was 
a  future,  unrevealcd,  but  infinitely  better  than  what  their  past 
had  been.  Their  meeting  was  orderly,  and  I  have  seen  grave 
legislative  bodies  in  quite  as  much  of  a  muddle  over  a  simple 
question  as  that  congregation  of  black  men  emerging  from 
their  long  night  of  darkness. 

On  the  following  Sunday  I  was  present  at  a  service  on  Ladies* 
Island.  The  owner  of  the  plantation  where  the  meeting  was 
held  erected  his  house  in  full  view  of  Beaufort,  and  near  the 
bank  of  the  stream  where  the  tide  ebbs  and  flows  upon  the 
sandy  beach.  It  was  a  mean  mansion,  standing  on  posts,  to 
give  free  circulation  to  the  air  underneath.  In  hot  summer 
days  the  shade  beneath  the  house  was  the  resort  of  all  the 
poultry  of  the  premises.  Thousands  of  hard-working  New 
England  mechanics  live  in  better  houses,  yet  from  Beaufort  the 
place  made  an  imposing  show,  surrounded  by  orange  and  mag- 
nolia trees.  The  sandy  acres  of  the  plantation  stretched  to- 
wards St.  Helena.  A  short  distance  from  the  planter's  house 
were  the  weather-beaten  cabins  of  the  negroes,  mere  hovels, 
without  window-panes,  with  mud  chimneys, — the  homes  of 
generations  who  had  gone  from  the  darkness  and  hopeless- 
ness of  a  wearying  life  to  the  rest  and  quiet  of  the  grave. 

On  that  morning  when  Admiral  Dupont  shelled  the  Rebels 
out  of  the  forts  at  Hilton  Head  and  Bay  Point,  the  owner  of 
these  acres  made  a  hasty  exit  from  his  house.  He  sent  his 
overseer  to  the  cabins  to  hurry  up  the  negroes,  but  to  his  sur- 
prise not  a  negi-o  was  to  be  found.  Tho  colored  people  had 
heard  the  thundering  down  the  bay.     They  knew  its  meaning 


228  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [MoTCh, 

It  set  their  hearts  beating  as  they  never  had  throbbed  before. 
It  was  the  sweetest  music  they  ever  had  heai  d.  A  horseman 
came  riding  furiously  up  to  the  house,  with  terror  in  his  coun 
tenance.  The  master  hastened  out  to  know  how  the  battle 
was  going. 

"  The  Yankees  have  taken  the  forts !  "  said  the  messenger. 
Tlio  master  became  pale. 

"  You  had  bettor  get  your  negroes  together,  and  be  ready 
for  a  move,"  said  the  messenger. 

Sharp  ears  had  heard  all  this,  —  the  ears  of  Sam,  a  colored 
man,  who,  seeing  the  herald  arrive  in  hot  haste,  had  the  curi- 
osity to  hoar  what  he  had  to  say,  then  bounded  like  a  deer 
to  the  cabins,  running  from  door  to  door,  whispering  to  the 
inmates,  "To  the  woods!  to  the  woods!  Be  Yankees  hab 
taken  de  forts,  —  massa  is  going  to  de  mainland,  and  is  going 
to  take  us  wid  him." 

The  cabins  were  deserted  in  an  instant ;  and  five  minutes 
later,  when  the  overseer  came  round  to  gather  his  drove  of 
human  cattle,  he  found  empty  hovels.  The  planter  and  liis 
overseer  were  obliged  to  do  their  own  hasty  packing  up. 

The  plantation  was  in  the  hands  of  a  warm-hearted  Christian 
gentleman  from  Massachusetts,  Mr.  Norton.  The  people  of 
the  estate  gathered  for  worship  in  the  large  parlor  of  the 
house. 

The  room  was  eighteen  or  twenty  feet  square,  and  had  a 
wide-mouthed  fireplace,  in  which  a  cheerful  fire  of  pitch  knots 
was  blazing.  There  was  a  settee,  a  mahogany  sideboard,  where 
the  former  owner  was  accustomed  to  quafi*  his  wines  and  liq- 
uors. Scats  and  chairs  were  brought  in.  The  big  dinner-bell 
was  rung,  and  the  people,  thirty  or  forty  in  number,  came 
in,  men,  women,  and  children.  Some  of  the  women  brought 
their  infants.  JJncle  Jim,  the  patriarch  of  the  plantation,  was 
too  feeble  to  attend.  The  superintendent,  Mr.  Norton,  com- 
forted his  heart  by  reading  to  him  a  chapter  in  the  Bible  and 
offering  prayers  in  the  miserable  cabin,  where  the  old  man  was 
lying  on  a  pile  of  rags.  Uncle  Jim  was  a  sincere  Christian. 
The  word  of  God  was  sweet  to  him.  His  heart  overflowed 
with  thanks  and  praise,  for  the  display  of  God's  great  goodness 
to  him  and  his  people. 


1868.]  THE  ATLANTIC  COAST.  '2S!i 

A  hymn  was  lined  off  by  Mr.  Norton,  after  the  fashion  of 
our  fathers.  William,  a  stout,  middle-aged  man,  struck  into 
St.  Martin's,  and  the  congregation  joined,  not  reading  the 
music  exactly  as  good  old  Tansur  composed  it,  for  there  were 
crooks,  turns,  slurs,  and  appoggiaturas,  not  to  be  found  in 
any  printed  copy.  It  was  sung  harshly,  nasally,  and  dragged 
out  in  long,  slow  notes. 

A  pure-blooded  negro,  Sancho,  offered  prayer.  He  had  seen 
great  hardship  in  life  and  had  suffered  more  than  his  name- 
sake, the  squire,  who  was  once  unceremoniously  tossed  in 
a  blanket.  His  prayer  was  the  free  utterance  of  a  warm 
heart.  It  was  a  familiar  talk  with  Jesus,  his  best  friend. 
He  improved  the  opportunity  to  mingle  an  exhortation  with 
his  supplication.     He  thus  addressed  the  unconverted : — 

"  0,  my  poor,  impenitent  fellow-sinner,  what  you  think  you 
are  douig?  Where  you  think  you  are  going?  Death  will  ride 
up  soon  in  a  big  black  carriage  and  take  you  wid  him  down  to 
de  regions  of  deep  darkness.  Why  don't  you  repent  now,  and 
den  he  will  carry  you  up  into  de  light  of  paradise  !  " 

Looking  forward  to  the  hour  of  the  Christian's  release  frum 
the  bondage  of  this  life,  he  said,  in  conclusion,  "And  now, 
good  Lord,  when  we  have  done  chaw  all  de  hard  bones  and 
swallowed  all  de  bitter  pills,  we  trust  de  good  Lord  will  take 
us  to  himself." 

After  an  address  from  the  superintendent,  Sancho  rose. 

"  My  belobcd  friends,"  said  he,  "  I  neber  'spectcd  to  see  such 
a  day  as  dis  yere.  For  twenty  years,  I  hired  my  time  of  old 
massa,  I  was  'blecged  to  pay  him  twelve  dollars  a  month  in  ad- 
vance, and  if  I  did  n't  hab  de  money  ready,  he  wollopped  me. 
But  I 's  a  free  man  now.  De  good  Lord  hab  done  it  all.  I  can't 
read.  It  is  de  great  desire  ob  my  heart  to  learn  to  read,  so  dat 
I  can  read  de  Bible  all  my  own  self;  but  I  's  too  old  to  learn. 
But  I  rejoice  dat  my  chillen  can  hab  de  opportunity  to  study  de 
precious  word.  Do  Lord  is  doin  great  tings  for  us  in  dese  yere 
days.  Ole  massa,  was  a  purty  good  massa,  and  I  prays  de  Lord 
to  make  him  lay  down  his  weapons  ob  rebellion  and  become  a 
good  Union  man  and  a  disciple  ob  de  Lord  Jesus,  for  Jesus  tells 
us  dat  we  must  lub  our  enemies." 

^Lfter  the  exercises  of  the  religious  meeting  were  concluded, 


230 


THE  BOYS   OF   '61. 


[Marcli, 


the  chairs  were  set  aside,  and  they  began  a  "  praise  meeting," 
or  singmg  meeting.  Most  of  their  music  is  plaintive.  The 
piece  frequently  commences  with  a  recitative  by  one  voice,  and 
at  the  end  of  the  first  line  the  chorus  joins.  The  words  are 
often  improvised  to  suit  the  occasion. 

A  favorite  song  is  "  Roll,  Jordan,  roll,"  in  which  the  pro- 
gression  of  the  melody  is  very  descriptive  of  the  rolling  of 
waves  upon  the  beach.  There  are  many  variations  of  the  mel- 
ody, but  that  here  given  is  as  I  heard  it  sung  by  the  negroes  of 
Bythewood. 

ROLL    JORDAN 


^^^^^^ 


a 


Littl«    children    alttlng     on    the  tree  of  life    To     hear  the  Jordan    roll ;  0 

V7  -^l  V  ^  -^  ^    I 


^a 


P 


ipzi^c 


nTTT" 


1 — h 


W??^?ffrfe^-^^ 


'  roll,  Jordan  roll,  Jordan  roll,  Jordan     roll. 


^ 


J  J  jij  J  JiJ  J  j^^-^n~vis=^ 


We  march  the    angel    mareh,    0 

V  ^.  j: 


^ 


p^=£n^n:"Tf 


r-f- 


rrr- 


r^ 


^Mi^m^r^m 


march  the  angel  march,  0    my  soul  ia    rising    heavenward    To  hear  the  Jordan     roll. 


,    V  rn-n- 

The  verses  vary  only  in  recitation.  If  Mr.  Jones  is  pres- 
ent he  will  hear,  "  Mr.  Jones  is  sitting  on  the  tree  of  life." 
There  is  no  pause,  and  before  the  last  roll  is  ended  the  one 
giving  the  recitative  places  another  personage  on  the  tree,  and 
ihus  Jordan  rolls  along. 

As  the  song  goes  on  the  enthusiasm  rises.     They  suig  louder 


1863.]  THE  ATLANTIC  COAST.  281 

and  stronger.  The  recitative  is  given  with  increased  vigor, 
and  the  chorus  swells  with  increasing  volume.  They  beat 
time,  at  first,  with  their  hands,  then  their  feet.  They  rise 
from  their  seats.  William  begins  to  shuffle  his  feet.  Anna,  a 
short,  thick-set  woman,  wearing  a  checkered  dress,  and  an  apron, 
which  once  was  a  window-curtain,  claps  her  hands,  makes  a 
short,  quick  jerk  of  her  body,  stamps  her  feet  on  the  unac- 
cented part  of  the  measure,  keeping  exact  syncopation.  Cath- 
erine and  Sancho  catch  the  inspiration.  They  go  round  in  a 
circle,  shuffling,  jerking,  shouting  louder  and  louder,  while 
those  outside  of  the  circle  respond  with  increasing  vigor,  all 
stamping,  clapping  their  hands,  and  rolling  out  the  chorus. 
William  seems  to  be  in  a  trance,  his  eyes  are  fixed,  yet  he 
goes  on  with  a  double-shuffle,  till  the  perspiration  stands  in 
beads  upon  his  face.  Every  joint  seems  hung  on  wires. 
Feet,  legs,  arms,  head,  body,  and  hands  swing  and  jump  like 
a  child's  dancing  Dandy  Jim.  Sancho  enters  into  it  with  all 
his  heart,  soul,  mind,  and  might,  clapping  his  hands,  rolling 
his  eyes,  looking  upward  in  ecstasy  and  outward  upon  the 
crowd,  as  if  he  were  their  spiritual  father  and  guardian. 

Thus  it  went  on  till  nature  was  exhausted.  When  the  meet 
ing  broke  up,  they  all  came  round  in  procession,  shaking  hand  a 
with  the  superintendent  and  the  strangers  present,  and  singing 

a  parting  song, 

"  There 's  a  meeting  here  to-night  I  ** 

The  superintendent  informed  me  that  the  children  who  at- 
tended school  could  not  be  coaxed  to  take  part  in  those  praise 
meetings.  They  had  learned  to  sing  Sunday-school  songs,  and 
evidently  looked  upon  the  plantation  songs  of  their  fathers  and 
mothers  as  belonging  to  their  bondage  and  not  worthy  to  be 
sung  now  that  they  were  free. 

A  short  distance  from  Hilton  Head  is  the  town  of  Mitchel- 
ville,  laid  out  by  the  lamented  astronomer.  General  Mitchell, 
who  fell  a  victim  to  the  yellow-fcvcr  in  the  summer  of  18G2. 
The  town  is  on  a  broad  sandy  plain,  bordered  by  groves  and 
thickets  of  live-oak,  palmetto,  and  the  coast  pine. 

At  that  time  there  were  about  seventy  houses,  —  or  cabins 
rather,  —  of  the  rudest  description,  built  of  logs,  chinked  with 
clay  brought  up  from  the  beach,  roofs  of  long  split  shingles, 


232  THE  BOYS  OF  '61,  [March, 

board  floors,  windows  with  shutters,  —  plain  board  blinds, 
without  sash  or  glass.  Each  house  had  a  quarter  of  an  acre 
of  land  attached.  There  was  no  paint  or  lime,  not  even 
whitewash,  about  them.  It  was  just  such  a  place  as  might  be 
expected  in  a  new  country,  where  there  were  no  saw-mills  or 
brick-kilns,  —  a  step  in  advance  of  a  hole  in  the  ground  or  a 
bark  wigwam.  It  was  the  beginning  of  the  experiment  of 
civilization  on  the  part  of  a  semi-barbarous  people  just  released 
from  abject  bondage,  and  far  from  being  free  men. 

I  looked  into  the  first  cabin,  and  seeing  an  old  man  sitting 
before  the  fire,  greeted  him  with  "  How  do  you  do.  Uncle  ?  *' 
the  sobriquet  of  all  middle-aged  negro  men. 

"  Tears  how  I  'm  rather  poorly,  —  I 's  got  do  chills,  boss." 

He  was  a  slave  in  Florida,  made  his  escape  from  his  master's 
plantation  fifty  miles  inland,  reached  Fernandina,  and  entered 
the  lines  of  the  Union  army.  He  was  dressed  in  pants  made 
of  old  sailcloth,  and  the  tattered  cast-off  blouse  of  a  Union 
soldier.  The  room  was  twelve  feet  square.  I  could  see 
through  the  chinking  in  a  hundred  places.  At  the  coping  of 
the  roof,  where  it  should  have  joined  the  wall,  there  was  a  wide 
opening  all  around,  which  allowed  all  the  warmth  to  escape. 
The  furniture  consisted  of  three  tables,  four  chairs,  a  mahog- 
any wash-stand,  all  of  which  once  stood  in  the  mansion  of  some 
island  planter.  There  was  a  Dutch-oven  on  the  hearth,  the 
sight  of  which  made  my  mouth  water  for  the  delicious  tear 
cakes  of  childhood.  There  were  pots,  kettles,  baskets,  and  bags, 
and  a  pile  of  rags,  old  blankets  which  the  soldiers  had  thrown 
aside.  It  required  but  a  few  words  to  thaw  out  Uncle  Jacob, 
who  at  once  commenced  fumbling  in  his  pockets,  producing, 
after  a  studious  search,  a  brown  paper,  carefully  folded,  en- 
closing the  name  of  a  gentleman  in  New  York  who  had  taken 
home  Uncle  Jacob's  nephew.  He  wanted  me  to  read  it  to 
him,  —  the  name,  the  street,  the  number,  —  that  he  might 
learn  it  by  heart. 

"  He  is  learning  to  write,  boss,  and  I  shall  have  a  letter  from 
him  by  and  by,"  said  the  old  man,  in  glee.  He  handed  me 
three  letters,  all  from  men  who  once  were  slaves,  not  written 
by  them  individually,  but  by  amanuenses.  One  was  a  sailor 
on  the  gunboat  Ottawa,  off  Charleston ;  one  was  in  New  York 
city,  and  the  third  in  Ohio. 


1863.]  THE  ATLANTIC   COAST. 

"Please,  boss,  I  should  like  to  hab  you  read  'em,*'  he 
said. 

It  was  a  pleasure  to  gratify  the  kind-hearted  man,  who  lis- 
tened with  satisfaction  beaming  from  every  line  of  his  counto- 
nance. 

Uncle  Jacob  had  been  five  months  in  the  employ  of  the 
United  States,  unloading  vessels  at  Hilton  Head,  and  had  re- 
ceived only  his  rations  and  a  little  clothing. 

"  Well,  Uncle  Jacob,  which  would  you  rather  be,  a  freeman 
or  a  slave  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  0,  Lor'  bless  you,  boss,  I  would  n't  like  to  be  a  slave 
again." 

"  Do  you  think  you  can  take  care  of  yourself  ?  " 

"  Jes  let  gubberment  pay  me,  boss,  and  see  if  I  can't." 

It  was  spoken  with  great  earnestness. 

In  the  next  cabin  I  found  Peter,  who  had  taken  the  name  of 
Brown,  that  of  his  former  master.  Slavery  gave  its  victims  but 
one  name.  General  Mitchell  said  that  they  were  entitled  to 
another  name,  and  he  ordered  that  they  should  take  that 
of  their  former  masters ;  hence  there  are  Peter  Beauregards, 
James  Trenholms,  Susan  Rhetts,  Julia  Barnwells,  on  the  plan- 
tations of  the  Sea  Islands. 

"  Mr.  Brown,  did  you  ever  hear  about  the  Abolitionists  ?  "  I 
isked. 

"  Yes,  sir,  tank  you,  I 's  he'd  of  'em." 

*•  What  did  you  hear  about  them  ?  " 

"  0,  dey  is  a  worry  bad  sort  of  people,  sir.  Old  massa  said 
dat  if  dey  could  get  a  chance  dey  would  take  all  our  picka^ 
oinnies  and  smash  der  brains  out  agin  de  trees !  " 

"  Did  you  ever  see  an  Abolitionist  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  tank  you,  nebber  saw  one." 

"  Well,  Mr.  Brown,  I  am  one." 

Mr.  Brown  started  involuntarily.  He  looked  me  all  over  from 
head  to  feet,  giving  a  keen  search.  "  'Pears  how  I  should  n't 
tink  you  could  hab  de  heart  to  do  it,  sir." 

"  Do  I  look  as  though  I  should  like  to  kill  your  little 
ones  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  I  don't  tink  you  would." 

I  told  him  who  the  Abolitionists  were,  and  what  they  wished 


234  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [March, 

to  do,  —  that  they  were  friends  of  the  slaves,  and  always  had 
been.  Ho  grasped  my  hand,  and  said,  "  God  bless  you,  sir." 
And  then  burst  into  hearty  laughter. 

Having  been  informed  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  ob- 
tain  a  fowl  of  the  negroes  at  that  season  of  the  year,  I  made 
the  attempt ;  but  though  I  offered  treble  the  value,  not 
on*"  would  part  with  a  hen.  They  were  looking  forward  to 
broods  of  chickens  which  would  bring  them  in  "heaps"  of 
money  in  the  fall  of  the  year.  The  negro  race  understands 
the  value  of  money  quite  as  well  as  we  who  boast  of  Anglo 
Saxon  blood. 

Entering  the  head-quarters  of  the  commanding  officer  one 
day,  I  saw  a  thin,  spare  colored  woman  sitting  before  the  fire. 
She  nodded  and  smiled,  ran  her  eyes  over  me,  as  if  to  take 
in  every  feature  or  peculiarity  of  my  person  and  dress,  then 
gazed  into  the  fire  and  seemed  absorbed  in  her  own  thoughts. 
A  friend  said,  "  That  is  our  Sojourner  Truth." 

She  had  brought  off  several  companies  of  negroes  from  the 
mainland,  and  had  given  a  great  deal  of  information  concern- 
ing the  movements  of  the  Rebels.  She  had  penetrated  swamps, 
endured  hardships,  eluded  Rebel  pickets,  visiting  the  plantar 
tions  at  midnight,  and  conversing  with  the  slaves. 

"  I  can  travel  all  through  the  South,  I  reckon,"  she  said. 

"  Are  you  not  afraid  that  the  Rebels  will  catch  you  ? " 

"  Well,  honey,  I  reckon  they  could  n't  keep  me,"  she  said, 
with  a  smile. 

She  had  exhibited  such  remarkable  shrewdness  and  finesse 
in  her  exploits,  and  had  rendered  such  valuable  services  to  the 
department,  that  she  was  held  in  high  esteem. 

At  that  time,  Mrs.  Frances  D.  Gage,  favorably  known  as  a 
writer  for  the  press,  was  residing  on  Paris  Island.  Seated 
one  evening  by  the  bright  fire  blazing  on  her  hearth,  I  listened 
to  her  narrative  of  Sojourner  Truth,  who  had  been  a  slave,  who 
had  penetrated  the  far  South  in  search  of  her  lost  children, 
who  had  run  off  many  slaves  to  Canada,  and  who  went  round 
the  country,  impelled  by  the  conviction  that  she  had  been 
called  of  God  to  testify  against  the  sins  of  the  people ;  hence 
her  name,  "  Sojourner  Truth." 

The  narration  revealed  traits  of  character,  not  unfrequently 


1863.]  THE  ATLANTIC  COAST.  236 

seen  in  the  negro  race,  and  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  in  this 
chapter,  which  is  intended  to  give  the  position  of  a  race  at 
its  lowest  plane  of  life. 

This  wonderful  woman  lives  in  modern  art.  She  is  the 
original  Libyan  Sibyl,  a  statue  by  Mr.  Story,  which  was  more 
impressive  than  all  others  in  the  gallery  of  the  World's  Exhibi- 
tion in  London  in  1862.  Sojourner  once  called  upon  Mrs. 
Stowe,  who  has  given  us  this  account  of  the  interview :  *  — 

On  her  head  she  wore  a  bright  Madras  handkerchief,  arranged 
as  a  turban,  after  the  manner  of  her  race.  She  seemed  perfectly 
self-possessed  and  at  her  ease,  —  in  fact,  there  was  almost  an  uncon- 
scious superiority,  not  unmixed  with  a  solemn  twinkle  of  humor,  in 
the  odd,  composed  manner  in  which  she  looked  down  on  me.  Her 
whole  air  had  at  times  a  gloomy  sort  of  drollery  which  impressed  one 
strangely. 

"  So,  this  is  yoM,"  she  said. 

"  Yes,"  I  answered. 

"  Well,  honey,  de  Lord  bless  ye !  I  jes'  thought  I  'd  like  to  come 
AD*  have  a  look  at  ye.     You  's  heerd  o'  me,  I  reckon  ?  "  she  added. 

"  Yes,  I  think  I  have.     You  go  about  lecturing,  do  you  not  ?  " 

"  Yes,  honey,  that 's  what  I  do.  The  Lord  has  made  me  a  sign 
unto  this  nation,  an'  I  go  round  a-testifyin',  an'  showin'  on  'em  their 
sins  agin  my  people." 

So  saying,  she  took  a  seat,  and,  stooping  over  and  crossing  her  arms 
on  her  knees,  she  looked  down  on  the  floor,  and  appeared  to  fall  into  a 
sort  of  revery.  Her  great  gloomy  eyes  and  her  dark  face  seemed  to 
work  with  some  undercurrent  of  feeling  ;  she  sighed  deeply,  and  occa- 
sionally broke  out,  — 

"  O  Lord  !  0  Lord  1  Oh,  the  tears,  an'  the  groans,  an*  the  moans  I 
OLord!" 

By  this  time  I  thought  her  manner  so  original  that  it  might  be  worth 
while  to  call  down  my  friends  ;  and  she  seemed  perfectly  well  pleased 
with  the  idea.  An  audience  was  what  she  wanted,  —  it  mattered  not 
whether  high  or  low,  learned  or  ignorant.  She  had  things  to  say,  and 
was  ready  to  say  them  at  all  times,  and  to  any  one. 

I  called  down  Dr.  Beecher,  Professor  Allen,  and  two  or  three  other 
clergymen,  who,  together  with  my  husband  and  family,  made  a  roomfuL 
No  j/fincess  could  have  received  a  drawing-room  with  more  composed 

*  Atlantic  Monthly,  April,  1863. 


23b  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Mapch, 

dignity  than  Sojonmer  her  audience.  She  stood  among  them  calm  and 
erect  as  one  of  her  own  native  palm-trees  waving  alone  in  the  desert 
I  presented  one  after  another  to  her,  and  at  last  said,  — 

"  Sojourner,  this  is  Dr.  Beecher,    He  is  a  very  celebrated  preacher." 

"  if  he  ?  "  she  said,  offering  her  hand  in  a  condescending  manner,  and 
looking  down  on  his  white  head.  "  Ye  dear  lamb,  I  'm  glad  to  see  ye ! 
De  Lord  bless  ye  !  I  loves  preachers.  I  'm  a  kind  o'  preacher  my- 
self." 

"  You  are  ?  "  said  Dr.  Beecher.     "  Do  you  preach  from  the  Bible  ?  " 

**  No,  honey,  can't  preach  from  de  Bible, — can't  read  a  letter." 

**  Why,  Sojourner,  what  do  you  preach  from,  then  ?  '* 

Her  answer  was  given  with  a  solemn  power  of  voice,  peculiar  to  her- 
self,  that  hushed  every  one  in  the  room. 

**  When  I  preaches,  I  has  jest  one  text  to  preach  from,  an*  I  always 
preaches  from  this  one.    My  text  is,  *  When  I  found  Jesus.*  ** 

**  Well,  you  could  n't  have  a  better  one,**  said  one  of  the  ministers. 

She  paid  no  attention  to  him,  but  stood  and  seemed  swelling  with  her 
own  thoughts,  and  then  began  this  narration  :  — 

"  Well,  now,  I  *11  jest  have  to  go  back,  an*  tell  ye  all  about  it.  Ye 
jee,  we  was  all  brought  over  from  Africa,  father  an*  mother  an*  I,  an*  a 
lot  more  of  us  ;  an'  we  was  sold  up  an'  down,  an*  hither  an*  yon  ;  an*  I 
can  *member,  when  I  was  a  little  thing,  not  bigger  than  this  *ere,**  point- 
ing to  her  grandson,  "  how  my  ole  mammy  would  sit  out  o*  doors  in  the 
evenin',  an*  look  up  at  the  stars  an'  groan.  She  *d  groan  an*  groan,  an* 
says  I  to  her,  — 

"  *  Mammy,  what  makes  you  groan  so  ?  * 

'*  An*  she  'd  say,  — 

"  *  Matter  enough,  chile  I  I  *m  groanin*  to  think  o*  my  poor  children : 
they  don't  know  where  I  be,  an*  I  don*t  know  where  they  be :  they 
looks  up  at  the  stars,  an*  I  looks  up  at  the  stars,  but  I  can*t  tell  where 
they  be. 

"  *  Now,*  she  said,  *  chile,  when  you  *re  grown  up,  you  may  be  sold 
away  from  your  mother  an'  all  your  ole  friends,  an*  have  great  troubles 
come  on  ye  ;  an*  when  you  has  these  troubles  come  on  ye,  ye  jes'  go  to 
God,  an'  He  '11  help  ye.' 

"  An'  says  I  to  her,  — 

"  *  Who  is  God,  anyhow,  mammy  ? ' 

"  An'  says  she,  — 

"  *  Why,  chile,  you  jes'  look  up  dar !  It  *s  Him  that  made  all 
<fem/* 

"  Well,  I  did  n*t  mind  much  'bout  God  in  them  days.  I  grew  up 
pretty  lively  an'  strong,  an*  could  row  a  boat,  or  ride  a  horse,  or  work 
round,  an*  do  'most  anything. 


1863.]  THE  ATLANTIC  COAST.  237 

•*  At  last  I  got  sold  away  to  a  real  hard  massa  an'  missis.  Oh,  I  tell 
you,  they  was  hard  !  Teared  like  I  could  n't  please  'em  nohow.  An* 
then  I  thought  o'  what  my  old  mammy  told  me  about  God ;  an*  I  thought 
I  'd  got  into  trouble,  sure  enough,  an'  I  wanted  to  find  God,  an*  I  heerd 
some  one  tell  a  story  about  a  man  that  met  God  on  a  threshin'-floor, 
an*  I  thought,  *  Well  an'  good,  I  '11  have  a  threshin'-floor,  too.*  So  I 
went  down  in  the  lot,  an*  I  threshed  down  a  place  real  hard,  an*  I  used 
to  go  down  there  every  day,  an'  pray  an'  cry  with  all  my  might,  a-pray- 
m*  to  the  Lord  to  make  my  massa  an'  missis  better,  but  it  did  n't  seem 
to  do  no  good  ;  an'  so  says  I,  one  day,  — 

"  *  O  God,  I  been  a-askin'  ye,  an'  askin'  ye,  an  askin'  ye,  for  all  this 
long  time,  to  make  my  massa  an'  missis  better,  an'  you  don't  do  it,  an* 
what  can  be  the  reason  ?  Why,  maybe  you  canH.  Well,  I  should  n't 
wonder  ef  you  could  n't.  Well,  now,  I  tell  you,  I  '11  make  a  bargain 
with  you.  Ef  you  '11  help  me  git  away  from  my  massa  an*  missis,  I  *11 
agree  to  be  good  ;  but  ef  you  don't  help  me,  I  really  don't  think  I  can 
be.  Now,'  says  I,  *  I  want  to  git  away  ;  but  the  trouble  *s  jest  here : 
ef  I  try  to  git  away  in  the  night,  I  can't  see ;  an'  ef  I  try  to  git  away 
in  the  daytime,  they  '11  see  me,  an'  be  after  me.' 

"  Then  the  Lord  said  to  me,  '  Get  up  two  or  three  hours  afore  day- 
light, an'  start  off.' 

"  An*  says  I,  *  Thank  'ee,  Lord  !  that  *s  a  good  thought.* 

"  So  up  I  got,  about  three  o'clock  in  the  mornin*,  an*  I  started  an*  trav- 
elled pretty  fast,  till,  when  the  sun  rose,  I  was  clear  away  from  our 
place  an*  our  folks,  an*  out  o*  sight.  An*  then  I  begun  to  think  I  did 
n*t  know  nothin*  where  to  go.     So  I  kneeled  down,  an*  says  I,  — 

" '  Well,  Lord,  you  've  started  me  out,  an*  now  please  to  show  me 
where  to  go.' 

"  Then  the  Lord  made  a  house  appear  to  me,  an*  He  said  to  me  that 
I  was  to  walk  on  till  I  saw  that  house,  an'  then  go  in  an*  ask  the  people 
to  take  me.  An*  I  travelled  all  day,  an*  did  n*t  come  to  the  house  till 
late  at  night ;  but  when  I  saw  it,  sure  enough,  I  went  in,  an*  I  told  the 
folks  the  Lord  sent  me ;  an*  they  was  Quakers,  an'  real  kind  they  was 
to  me.  They  jes'  took  me  in,  an'  did  for  me  as  kind  as  ef  I  'd  been 
one  of  *em  ;  an*  after  they  'd  giv  me  supper,  they  took  me  into  a  room 
where  there  was  a  great,  tall,  white  bed ;  an*  they  told  me  to  sleep 
there.  Well,  honey,  I  was  kind  o*  skeered  when  they  left  me  alone 
with  that  great  white  bed ;  *cause  I  never  had  been  in  a  bed  in  my 
life.  It  never  came  into  my  mind  they  could  mean  me  to  sleep  in  it 
An*  so  I  jes*  camped  down  under  it,  on  the  floor,  an'  then  I  slop'  pretty 
well  In  the  mornin',  when  they  came  in,  they  asked  me  ef  I  had  n't 
been  asleep ;  an*  I  said,  *  Yes    I  never  slep*  better.*     An'  they  said* 


238  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [MOTCD 

*  Why,  you  liave  n't  been  in  the  bed  I  *  An'  says  I,  *  Laws,  you  did  n*t 
think  o*  sech  a  thing  as  my  sleepin*  in  dat  'ar*  hed^  did  you  ?  I  never 
heerd  o*  sech  a  thing  in  my  life.* 

"  Well,  ye  see,  honey,  I  stayed  an*  lived  with  *em.  An*  now  jes* 
look  here  :  instead  o*  keepin*  my  promise  an*  bein*  good,  as  I  told  the 
Lord  I  would,  jest  as  soon  as  everything  got  a-goin*  easy,  I  forgot  all 
about  God. 

"  Pretty  well  don't  need  no  help ;  an*  I  gin*  up  prayin*.  I  lived 
there  two  or  three  years,  an*  then  the  slaves  in  New  York  were  all  set 
free,  an'  ole  massa  came  to  our  house  to  make  a  visit,  an*  he  asked  me 
ef  I  did  n't  want  to  go  back  an*  see  the  folks  on  the  ole  place.  An*  I 
told  him  I  did.  So  he  said,  ef  I  'd  jes'  git  into  the  wagon  with  him, 
he  'd  carry  me  over.  Well,  jest  as  I  was  goin'  out  to  git  into  the  wagon, 
l7net  God!  an'  says  I,  *  O  God,  I  did  n't  know  as  you  was  so  great!' 
An'  I  turned  right  round  an'  come  into  the  house,  an'  set  down  in  my 
room  ;  for  't  was  God  all  around  me.  I  could  feel  it  burnin*,  burnm*^ 
buvnin'  all  around  me,  an'  goin*  through  me ;  an*  I  saw  I  was  so  wicked, 
it  seemed  as  ef  it  would  burn  me  up.  An*  I  said,  '  O  somebody,  some- 
body, stand  between  God  an*  me!  for  it  burns  me!'  Then,  honey,  when 
I  said  so,  I  felt  as  it  were  somethin*  like  an  amherill  [umbrella]  that 
came  between  me  an'  the  light,  an*  I  felt  it  was  somebody,  —  somebody 
that  stood  between  me  an*  God ;  an*  it  felt  cool,  like  a  shade  ;  au'  says 
I,  *  Who  's  this  that  stands  between  me  an*  God  ?  Is  it  old  Cato  ?  * 
He  was  a  pious  old  preacher ;  but  then  I  seemed  to  see  Cato  in  the 
light,  an*  he  was  all  polluted  an*  vile,  like  me ;  an*  I  said,  '  Is  it  old 
Sally  ?  *  an'  then  I  saw  her,  an'  she  seemed  jes'  so.     An'  then  says  I, 

*  Who  is  this  ? '  An'  then,  honey,  for  a  while  it  was  like  the  sun  shinin* 
in  a  pail  o*  water,  when  it  moves  up  an*  down ;  for  I  begun  to  feel 
't  was  somebody  that  loved  me  ;  an'  I  tried  to  know  him.  An*  I  said, 
'  I  know  you  1  I  know  you  !  I  know  you  !  *  —  an*  then  I  said,  *  I  don*t 
know  you  !  I  don't  know  you  !  I  don't  know  you  !  *     An*  when  I  said, 

*  I  know  you,  I  know  you,*  the  light  came ;  an*  when  I  said,  *  I  don't 
know  you,  I  don't  know  you,'  it  went,  jes'  like  the  sun  in  a  pail  o'  water. 
An'  finally  somethin'  spoke  out  in  me  an'  said,  ^This  is  Jesus  !*  An*  I 
spoke  out  with  all  my  might,  an'  says  I,  ^This  is  Jesus/  Glory  be  to 
God !  *  An'  then  the  whole  world  grew  bright,  an*  the  trees  they 
waved  an'  waved  in  glory,  an*  every  little  bit  o*  stone  on  the  ground 
shone  like  glass ;  an'  I  shouted  an'  said,  ^  Praise,  praise,  praise  to  the 
Lord  ! '  An'  I  begun  to  feel  sech  a  love  in  my  soul  as  I  never  felt  be- 
fore, —  love  to  all  creatures.  An'  then,  all  of  a  sudden,  it  stopped,  an* 
I  said,  *  Dar  *s  de  white  folks,  that  have  abused  you  an*  beat  you  an* 
abused  your  people,  —  think  o'  them  ! '     But  then  there  came  anothef 


1863.]  THE  AfLANTIC  COAST.  239 

rusL  of  love  through  my  soul,  an*  I  cried  out  loud,  —  *  Lord,  Lord,  I 
can  love  even  d«  white  folks  !  * 

"  Honey,  I  jes*  walked  round  an'  round  in  a  dream.  Jesus  loved  me  I 
I  knowed  it,  —  I  felt  it.  Jesus  was  my  Jesus.  Jesus  would  love  me 
always.  I  did  n't  dare  tell  nobody  ;  't  was  a  great  secret.  Everything 
bad  been  got  away  from  me  that  I  ever  had  ;  an'  I  thought  that  ef  I 
let  white  folks  know  about  this,  maybe  they  'd  get  Him  away,  —  bo  I 
■aid,  *  I  '11  keep  this  close.     I  won't  let  any  one  know.' " 

"  But,  ScjcRirner,  had  you  never  been  told  about  Jesus  Christ  ?  ** 
"No,  honey.  I  hadn't  heerd  no  preachin',  —  been  to  no  meetin'. 
Nobody  had  n't  told  me.  I  'd  kind  o*  heerd  of  Jesus,  but  thought  he 
was  like  Gineral  Lafayette,  or  some  o'  them.  But  one  night  there  was 
a  Methodist  meetin*  somewhere  in  our  parts,  an*  I  went ;  an*  they  got 
up  an'  begun  for  to  tell  der  'speriences ;  an'  de  fust  one  begun  to  speak. 
I  started,  'cause  he  told  about  Jesus.  *  Why,*  says  I  to  myself,  *  dat 
man  's  found  him  too ! '  An'  another  got  up  an'  spoke,  an'  I  said. 
He 's  found  him,  too ! '  An'  finally  I  said,  *  Why,  they  all  know  him ! ' 
I  was  so  happy  !  An'  then  they  sung  this  hymn  "  :  (Here  Sojourner 
gang,  in  a  strange,  cracked  voice,  but  evidently  with  all  her  soul  and 
might,  mispronouncing  the  English,  but  seeming  to  derive  as  much  ele- 
vation and  comfort  from  bad  English  as  from  good) :  — 

"  There  is  a  holy  city, 

A  world  of  light  above. 
Above  the  stairs  and  regions,* 
Built  by  the  God  of  love." 

**  Well,  den  ye  see,  after  a  while  I  thought  I  'd  go  back  an'  see  de 
folks  on  de  ole  place.  Well,  you  know,  de  law  had  passed  dat  de  culled 
folks  was  all  free  ;  an'  my  old  missis,  she  had  a  daughter  married  about 
dis  time  who  went  to  live  in  Alabama,  —  an'  what  did  she  do  but  give 
her  ray  son,  a  boy  about  de  age  of  dis  yer,  for  her  to  take  down  to 
Alabama  ?  When  I  got  back  to  de  ole  place,  they  told  me  about  it, 
an'  I  went  right  up  to  see  ole  missis,  an'  says  I,  — 

"  *  Missis,  have  you  been  an'  sent  my  son  away  down  to  Alabama  ? ' 

"  *  Yes,  I  have,'  says  she ;  *  he  's  gone  to  live  with  your  young 
missis.* 

"  *  O  Missis,*  says  I,  '  how  could  you  do  it  ? ' 

"  *  Poh ! '  says  she,  *  what  a  fuss  you  make  about  a  little  nigger 
GU)t  more  of  'em  now  than  you  know  what  to  do  with.* 

**  I  tell  you,  I  stretched  up.     I  felt  as  tall  as  the  world  t 

♦  Starry  re^ons. 


240  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  fMoTCh, 

**  *  Missis,  says  I,  *  /'//  have  my  son  hack  agin  I  * 

«  She  laughed. 

"  *  Tou  will,  you  nigger  ?  How  you  goin*  to  do  it  ?  You  ha*n*t  got 
no  money.' 

**  *  No,  IMissis,  —  but  God  has,  —  an'  you  '11  see  He  '11  help  me  ! '  — 
an*  I  turned  round  an'  went  out. 

"  O,  but  I  was  angry  to  have  her  speak  to  nie  so  haughty  an*  so 
scornful,  as  ef  my  chile  was  n't  worth  anything.  I  said  to  God,  '  0 
Lord,  render  unto  her  double  !  It  was  a  dreadful  prayer,  an*  I  did  n't 
know  how  true  it  would  come. 

"  Well,  I  did  n't  rightly  know  which  way  to  turn  ;  but  I  went  to  the 
Lord,  an*  I  said  to  Him,  '  O  Lord,  ef  I  was  as  rich  as  you  be,  an'  you 
was  as  poor  as  I  be,  I  'd  help  you,  —  you  know  I  would  ;  and,  oh,  do 
help  me ! '     An'  I  felt  sure  then  that  He  would. 

"  Well,  I  talked  with  people,  an'  they  said  I  must  git  the  case  before 
a  grand  jury.  So  I  went  into  the  town  when  they  was  holdin'  a  court, 
to  see  ef  I  could  find  any  grand  jury.  An*  1  stood  round  the  court- 
house, an*  when  they  was  a-eomin*  out,  I  walked  right  up  to  the  grand- 
est-lookin*  one  I  could  see,  an*  says  I  to  him,  — 

"  *  Sir,  be  you  a  grand  jury  ?' 

"  An'  then  he  wanted  to  know  why  I  asked,  an'  I  told  him  all  about 
it;  an'  be  asked  me  all  sorts  of  questions,  an*  finally  he  says  to 
me, — 

"  *  I  think,  ef  you  pay  me  ten  dollars,  that  1  'd  agree  to  get  your  son 
for  you.*  An'  says  he,  pointin'  to  a  house  over  the  way,  *  You  go  'long 
an'  tell  your  story  to  the  folks  in  that  house,  an'  I  guess  they  '11  give  you 
the  money.' 

"  Well,  I  went,  an'  I  told  them,  an'  they  gave  me  twenty  dollars;  an* 
then  I  thought  to  myself,  *  Ef  ten  dollars  will  git  him,  twenty  dollars 
will  git  him  sartin.'     So  I  carried  it  to  the  man  all  out,  an*  said,  — 

"  *  Take  it  all,  —  only  be  sure  an'  git  him.* 

"  Well,  finally  they  got  the  boy  brought  back ;  an*  then  they  tried  to 
frighten  him,  an*  to  make  him  say  that  I  was  n't  his  mammy,  an*  that 
he  did  n't  know  me  ;  but  they  could  n*t  make  it  out.  They  gave  him 
to  me,  an*  I  took  him  an'  carried  him  home ;  an'  when  I  came  to  take 
off  his  clothes,  there  was  his  poor  little  back  all  covered  with  scars  an' 
hard  lumps,  where  they  flogged  him. 

"  Well,  you  see,  honey,  I  told  you  how  I  prayed  the  Lord  to  render 
unto  her  double.  Well,  it  came  true ;  for  I  was  up  at  ole  missis'  house 
not  long  after,  an'  I  heerd  'em  readin*  a  letter  to  her  how  her  daughter's 
husband  had  murdered  her,  —  how  he  *d  thrown  her  down  an*  stamped 
the  life  out  of  her,  when  he  was  in  liquor ;  an*  my  ole  missis,  she  giv  a 


±863.]  THE   ATLAJ4TIC   COAST.  241 

screech,  an'  fell  flat  on  the  floor.    Then  says  I,  *  O  Lord,  I  did  n't  mean 
all  that !     You  took  me  up  too  quick.' 

"  Well,  I  went  in  an'  tended  that  poor  critter  all  night.  She  was 
out  of  her  mind,  —  a-cryin',  an'  callin'  for  her  daughter ;  an'  I  held  her 
poor  ole  head  on  my  arm,  an'  watched  for  her  as  ef  she  'd  been  my 
babby.  An'  I  watched  by  her,  an'  took  care  on  her  all  through  her  sick- 
ness after  that,  an'  she  died  in  my  arms,  poor  thing ! " 

In  the  spring  of  1861,  a  Woman's  Rights  Convention  was 
held  in  Akron,  Ohio.  The  newspapers  had  ridiculed  such 
conventions,  and  they  were  looked  upon  as  legitimate  subjects 
for  ridicule.  They  had  been  vilified  and  caricatured,  but  there 
was  a  desire  through  that  section  of  the  country  to  hear  what 
the  women  would  have  to  say  for  themselves,  and  the  church 
in  which  the  meeting  was  held  was  consequently  crowded. 
Sojourner  Truth  was  there.  Mrs.  Gage  was  president  of  the 
meeting.     She  said :  — 

"  The  leaders  of  the  movement,  tremblingly  alive  to  every  appear- 
ance of  evil  that  might  spring  up  in  their  midst,  were  many  of  them 
almost  thrown  into  panics  on  the  first  day  of  the  meeting,  by  seeing  a 
tall,  gaunt  black  woman,  in  a  gray  dress  and  uncouth  sun-bonnet,  march 
deliberately  into  the  church  and  up  the  aisle  with  an  air  of  a  queen, 
and  take  her  seat  on  the  pulpit  steps.  A  buzz  of  disapprobation  was 
heard  all  over  the  house,  and  such  words  as  these  fell  upon  listening 
ears :  '  An  Abolition  affair !  Woman's  Rights  and  Niggers ! '  *  We  told 
you  so ! '  *  Go  it,  old  darkey ! ' 

"  The  second  day  the  work  waxed  warm.  Methodist,  Baptist,  Epis- 
copal, and  Presbyterian,  and  Universalist  ministers  came  in  to  hear  and 
discuss  the  resolutions  brought  forth.  One  claimed  superior  rights  and 
privileges  for  man  because  of  superior  intellect ;  another,  because  of  the 
manhood  of  Christ.  If  God  had  desired  the  equality  of  woman,  he 
would  have  given  some  token  of  his  will  through  the  birth,  life,  and 
death  of  the  Saviour.  Another  gave  a  theological  view  of  the  sin  of 
our  first  mother.  There  were  few  women  in  those  days  who  dared  *  to 
speak  in  meeting  * ;  and  the  august  teachers  of  the  people,  with  long- 
winded  bombast,  were  seeming  to  get  the  better  of  us,  while  the  boys 
in  the  galleries  and  sneerers  among  the  pews  were  enjoying  hugely 
the  discomfiture,  as  they  supposed,  of  the  strong-minded.  Some  of  the 
tender-skinned  friends  were  growing  indignant  and  on  the  point  of 
losing  dignity,  and  the  atmosphere  of  the  Convention  betokened  a 
storm. 

16 


242  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [MarcTi, 

"  Slowly  from  her  seat  in  the  corner  rose  Sojourner  Truch,  who  till 
now  had  hardly  lifted  her  head. 

"  '  Don't  let  her  speak ! '  gasped  a  half-dozen  in  ray  ear.  She  moved 
slowly  and  solemnly  to  the  front,  laid  her  old  bonnet  at  her  feet,  and 
turned  her  great  piercing  eyes  upon  me.  There  was  a  hissing  sound  of 
disapprobation  above  and  below.  I  rose  and  announced  '  Sojourner 
Truth,'  and  begged  the  audience  to  keep  silence  a  few  moments.  Tlie 
tumult  subsided  at  once,  and  every  eye  was  fixed  on  this  almost  Amazon 
form,  which  stood  nearly  six  feet  high,  head  erect,  and  eye  piercing  the 
upper  air  like  one  in  a  dream.  At  her  first  word  there  was  a  profound 
hush.  She  spoke  in  deep  tones,  which,  though  not  loud,  reached  every 
ear  in  the  house,  and  away  through  the  throng  at  the  doors  and  win 
dows. 

"  *  Well,  chillen,  whar  dar  's  so  much  racket  dar  must  be  som'ing  out 
o'  kilter.  I  tink  dat  'twixt  de  niggas  of  de  Souf  and  de  women  of  de 
Norf,  all  a  talking  about  de  rights,  de  white  men  will  be  in  a  fix  pretty 
soon. 

*' '  But  what 's  all  dis  here  talking  'bout  ?  Dat  man  ober  dar  say  dat 
woman  needs  to  be  helped  into  carriages,  and  lifted  ober  ditches,  and  to 
hab  de  best  place  eberywhar.  Nobody  eber  helps  me  into  carriages,  or 
ober  ditches  or  ober  mud-puddles,  or  gives  me  any  best  place.'  Rais- 
ing herself  to  her  full  height,  and  her  voice  to  a  pitch  like  rolling  thun- 
der, she  asked,  '  And  arn't  I  a  woman  ?  Look  at  me.  Look  at  my 
arm,'  and  she  laid  bare  her  right  arm  to  her  shoulder,  showing  its  tre- 
mendous muscular  power.  '  I  have  ploughed,  and  planted,  and  gathered 
into  barns,  and  no  man  could  head  me;  and  arn't  I  a  woman?  I  have 
borne  thirteen  chillen,  and  seen  most  of  'em  sold  oft'  into  slavery,  and 
when  I  cried  out  with  a  mother's  grief,  none  but  Jesus  heard  ;  and  arn't 
I  a  woman?  Den  dey  talks  about  dis  ting  in  de  head.  What  dis  dey 
call  it  ? '  '  Intellect,'  whispered  some  one  near  her.  '  Dat 's  it,  honey. 
What 's  dat  got  to  do  wid  woman's  rights  or  niggei-s'  rights  ?  If  my  cup 
won't  hold  but  a  pint,  and  yours  holds  a  quart,  would  n't  you  be  mean 
not  to  let  me  have  my  little  half  measure  full?' 

"  She  pointed  her  significant  finger  and  sent  a  keen  glance  at  the 
minister  who  had  made  the  argument.  The  cheering  was  long  and 
loud. 

"  '  Den  dat  little  man  in  black,  dar,  he  say  woman  can't  have  as  much 
right  as  man,  'cause  Christ  was  n't  a  woman.  Whar  did  your  Christ 
come  from  ? ' 

"  Rolling  thunder  could  not  have  stilled  that  crowd  as  did  those  deep 
and  wonderful  tones,  as  she  stood  there  with  outstretched  arm  and  eye 
of  fire.     Raising  her  voice  she  repeated,  '  Whar  did  your  Christ  come 


1863.]  THE  ATLANTIC   COAST.  243 

from  ?  From  God  and  a  woman.  Man  had  nothing  to  do  with 
him.' 

"O  what  a  rebuke  she  gave  the  little  man!  Turning  agam  to 
another  objector,  she  took  up  the  defence  of  Mother  Eve.  It  was 
pointed,  and  witty,  and  solemn,  and  eliciting  at  almost  every  sentence 
deafening  applause  ;  and  she  ended  by  asserting  that  *  if  de  fust  woman 
God  ever  made  was  strong  enough  to  turn  the  world  upside  down,  all 
herself  alone,  all  dese  togeder,'  and  she  glanced  her  eye  over  us,  *  ought 
to  be  able  to  turn  it  back  again  and  git  it  right  side  up  again;  and  now 
dey  is  asking  to,  the  men  better  let  'em.  Bleeged  to  you  for  heariii 
me,  and  now  old  Sojourner  ha'n't  got  notin'  more  to  say.' 

"  Amid  roars  of  applause  she  turned  to  her  corner,  leaving  more  than 
one  of  us  with  streaming  eyes  and  hearts  beating  with  gratitude.  She 
had  taken  us  up  in  her  great  strong  arms  and  carried  us  over  the  slough 
of  difficulty,  turning  the  whole  tide  in  our  favor.  I  have  never  in  my 
life  seen  anything  like  the  magical  influence  that  subdued  the  mobbish 
spirit  of  the  day  and  turned  the  jibes  and  sneers  of  an  excited  crowd 
into  notes  of  respect  and  admiration.  Hundreds  rushed  up  to  shake 
hands  with  the  glorious  old  mother  and  bid  her  God  speed." 

The  enlistment  of  negro  troops  began  at  Port  Royal  in  the 
fall  of  1862,  and  by  midwinter  the  First  South  Carolina,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Higginson,  had  its  ranks  nearly  full.  There 
was  strong  prejudice  in  the  army  against  employing  negroes. 
The  New  Jersey  troops  in  the  department  of  the  South  were 
bitterly  hostile.  Colonel  Stevenson,  of  Massachusetts,  a  gal- 
lant officer,  having  imprudently  given  utterance  to  his  feel- 
ings upon  the  subject,  was  arrested  by  General  Hunter, 
which  caused  a  great  deal  of  excitement  in  the  army,  and 
which  attracted  the  attention  of  the  country  to  the  whole 
subject. 

The  day  after  the  arrest  of  Colonel  Stevenson,  a  scene  oc- 
curred in  the  cabin  of  the  steamer  Wyoming,  plying  between 
Beaufort  and  Hilton  Head,  which  is  given  as  a  historical  note. 
The  party  consisted  of  several  ladies,  one  or  two  chaplains, 
fifteen  or  twenty  officers,  four  newspaper  correspondents,  and 
several  civilians. 

A  young  captain  in  the  Tenth  New  Jersey  opened  the  con 
versation. 

''  I  wish,"  said  he,  "  that  every  negro  was  compelled  to  take 
off  his  hat  to  a  wlii^^e  man.     I  consider  him  an  inferior  being.'' 


244  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [March, 

'^  You  differ  from  General  Washiugtou,  who  took  oil  his  hat 
and  saluted  a  negro,"  said  one  of  the  correspondents. 

'^  General  Washington  could  afford  to  do  it,"  said  the  cap- 
tain, a  little  staggered. 

"  Are  we  to  understand  that  in  this  age  a  captain  cannot 
afford  to  equal  a  negro  in  politeness  ? "  was  the  provoking 
question  of  the  correspondent. 

"  Do  you  want  to  be  buried  with  a  nigger,  and  have  your 
bones  touch  his  in  the  grave  ?  " 

"  As  to  that  I  have  no  feeling  whatever.  I  do  not  suppose 
that  it  Avill  make  much  difference  to  the  bones  of  either  party.'* 

"  Well,  when  I  die  I  want  twenty  niggers  packed  all  around 
me,"  shouted  the  captain,  excitedly,  turning  to  the  crowd  to 
see  the  effect  of  his  sarcasm. 

"  I  presume,  sir,  you  can  be  accommodated  if  you  can  get 
the  consent  of  the  twenty  negroes." 

The  captain  saw  that  he  was  losing  his  argument  by  losing 
his  temper,  and  in  calmer  tones  said :  "I  want  to  see  the 
negro  kept  in  his  proper  place.  I  am  perfectly  willing  he 
should  use  the  shovel,  but  it  is  an  outrage  upon  the  white 
man,  —  an  insult  to  have  him  carry  a  musket." 

"  I  would  just  as  soon  see  a  negro  shot  as  to  get  shot  myself. 
I  am  perfectly  willing  that  all  the  negroes  should  help  put 
down  the  Rebellion,"  said  the  correspondent. 

"  I  am  not  willing  to  have  them  act  as  soldiers.  Put  them 
in  the  ditches,  where  they  belong.     They  are  an  inferior  race." 

A  second  correspondent  broke  in.  "  Who  arc  you,  sir  ?  " 
said  he ;  "  you  who  condemn  the  government  ?  You  forget 
that  you  as  a  soldier  have  nothing  to  say  about  the  orders  of 
the  President  or  the  laws  of  Congress.  You  say  that  the  negro 
is  an  inferior  being ;  what  do  you  say  of  Frederick  Douglass, 
who  has  raised  himself  from  slavery  to  a  high  position  ?  Your 
straps  were  placed  on  your  shoulders,  not  because  you  had  done 
anything  to  merit  them,  but  because  you  had  friends  to  intei-- 
cede  for  you,  —  using  their  political  influence,  —  or  becaust- 
you  had  money,  and  could  purchase  your  commission.  You 
hate  the  negro,  and  you  want  to  keep  him  in  slavery,  and  you 
allow  your  prejudice  to  carry  you  to  the  verge  of  disloyalty  tc 
the  government  which  pays  you  for  unworthily  wearing  your 
shoulder-straps." 


1863.]  THE  ATLANTIC  COAST.  245 

The  captain  and  the  entire  company  listened  in  silence  while 
another  correspondent  took  up  the  question. 

"  Gentleman,  you  denounce  the  negro ;  you  say  that  he  is 
an  inferior  being.  You  forget  tliat  we  white  men  claim  to 
stand  on  the  highest  plane  of  civilization,  —  that  we  are  of  a 
race  which  for  a  thousand  years  has  been  in  the  front  rank,  — 
tnat  the  negro  has  been  bruised,  crushed,  trodden  down,  —  de- 
nied all  knowledge,  all  right,  everything ;  that  we  have  com- 
pelled him  to  labor  for  us,  and  we  have  eaten  the  fruit  of  his 
labors.  Can  we  expect  him  to  be  our  equal  in  acquisition  of 
knowledge?  Where  is  your  sense  of  fair  play?  Are  you 
afraid  that  the  negro  will  push  you  from  your  position  ?  Are 
you  afraid  that  if  you  allow  him  to  aid  in  putting  down  the 
Rebellion,  that  he  too  will  become  a  free  man,  and  have  aspi- 
rations like  your  own,  and  in  time  express  toward  you  the  same 
chivalric  sentiments  which  you  express  toward  him  ?  How 
much  do  you  love  your  country  if  you  thus  make  conditions 
of  loyalty?" 

The  captain  made  no  reply.  The  whole  company  was  silent. 
There  were  smiles  from  the  ladies.  The  captain  went  out  upon 
the  deck,  evidently  regretting  that  the  conversation  had  fallen 
upon  so  exciting  a  topic. 

The  First  South  Carolina  Regiment  of  loyal  blacks  was  in 
camp  on  Smith's  plantation,  four  miles  out  from  Beaufort.  We 
rode  over  a  sandy  plain,  through  old  cotton-fields,  pine-barrens, 
and  jungles,  past  a  dozen  negro-huts,  where  the  long  tresses 
of  moss  waved  mournfully  in  the  breeze.  The  men  had  gath- 
ered a  boat-load  of  oysters,  and  were  having  a  feast,  —  old  and 
young,  gray-headed  men,  and  curly-haired  children,  were  hud- 
dled round  the  pans,  steaming  and  smoking  over  the  pitch-knot 
fires. 

Smith's  plantation  is  historic  ground,  —  the  place  where  the 
Huguenots  built  a  fort  long  before  the  Mayflower  cast  anclior 
in  Cape  Cod  harbor.  The  plantation  was  well  known  to  the 
colored  people  before  the  war  as  a  place  to  be  dreaded,  —  a 
place  for  hard  work,  unmerciful  whippings,  with  very  little  to 
eat.  The  house  and  the  negro  quarters  were  in  a  delightful 
grove  of  live-oaks,  whose  evergreen  leaves,  wide-spreadhig 
branches,   thick   foliage,   and    gnarled    trunks,    gave   cooling 


246  THE  BOYS  OF  '6J ,  [March, 

shade.  In  front  of  the  house,  leading  down  to  the  fort,  is 
a  magnoUa  walk.  Behind  the  house,  in  a  circular  hasin, — 
a  depression  often  found  on  sandy  plains,  —  was  the  garden,  sur- 
rounded by  a  thick-set,  fantastic  palmetto  hedge.  The  great 
oak  between  the  house  and  tlie  garden,  was  the  whipping-post. 
One  of  the  branches  was  smooth,  as  if  a  swing  had  been  slung 
there,  and  the  bark  had  been  worn  by  the  rope  swaying  to  the 
merry  chattering  and  light-hearted  laughter  of  children.  Not 
that,  however.  There  the  offender  of  plantation  law, — of  a  mas  • 
ter's  caprice,  —  had  paid  the  penalty  of  disobedience ;  there  men, 
women,  and  children,  suspended  by  the  thumbs,  stripped  of 
their  clothing,  received  the  lash.  Their  moans,  groans,  cries, 
and  prayers  fell  unheeding  on  overseer,  master,  and  mistress, — 
but  heard  and  heeded  they  were  in  heaven,  and  kept  in  re- 
membrance. And  the  hour  of  retribution  had  come,  the  time 
of  deliverance  was  near. 

What  a  choice  spot  for  tlie  punishment  of  the  criminal ! 
close  to  the  liouse,  —  where  the  master,  the  mistress,  their  sons 
and  daughters,  the  infant  at  the  nurse's  breast,  could  see  the 
blood  fly. 

The  plantation  jail  was  in  the  loft  of  the  granary,  beneath  a 
pitch-pine  roof,  which,  under  the  heat  of  a  midsummer  sun, 
was  like  an  oven.  There  was  one  little  window  in  the  gable 
for  the  admission  of  air.  There  were  iron  rings  and  bolts  in 
the  beams  and  rafters,  where  the  slaves  were  chained. 

The  owner  of  the  plantation  was  not  unmindful  of  the  relig- 
ious wants  of  his  fellow-Christians.  West  of  the  house  was  the 
plantation  chapel,  a  whitewashed  building  of  rough  boards, 
twenty  feet  by  thirty,  with  a  rude  belfry,  where  hung  the 
plantation  bell,  which  on  week-days  was  rung  at  daybreak. 
Charmingly  its  music  floated  over  the  blue  waters  of  Beaufort 
Bay,  mingling  with  the  morning  winds,  swaying  the  magnolia 
branches,  calling  the  hands  —  men,  women,  and  children  —  to 
their  unrequited  tasks  in  the  cotton-lield.  On  Sunday  it  called 
them,  with  silvery  lips  and  melting  sounds,  to  come  and  wor- 
ship: not  to  study  God's  Word,  not  to  bow  down  with  him 
who  —  by  the  "  divine  missionary  institution,"  as  the  Southern 
doctors  of  divinity  called  it,  was  their  master,  ordained  of 
God  —  could  separate  husband  and  wife,  or  toss  in  a  baby 


1863.] 


THE  ATLANTIC   COAST. 


247 


to  boot,  in  a  bargain ;  not  to  bow  down  with  him,  for  he  wor- 
shipped in  Beaufort,  in  the  ancient  church ;  —  he  was  a  chival- 
ric  son  of  South  Carolina,  riding  up  in  his  coach,  and  leaving 
,  his  four  hundred  fellow-disciples  to  grope  their  way  to  heaven, 
directed  by  a  pious  bondman,  as  best  they  might. 

If  one  wish  for  a  flood  of  reflections,  he  will  be  overwhelmed 
on  such  a  spot. 

The  First  South  Carolina  was  at  drill  beneath  the  oak  , 
drilling  as  skirmishers,  advancing,  retiring,  rallying,  deploy- 
mg,  loading  and  firing,  with  precision.  They  had  already  beeji 
under  fire  in  an  expedition  up  one  of  the  Georgia  rivers. 

I  had  breakfasted  with  the  captain  of  the  steamer  Darlington, 
which  was  used  as  a  transport  on  the  occasion,  who  showed  me 
the  numerous  bullet-marks  on  the  steamer. 

"  How  did  the  negroes  stand  fire  ?  "  I  asked.  "  They  fought 
splendidly,  sir." 

It  was  no  longer  an  experiment  whether  they  would  make 
good  soldiers.  They  had  demonstrated  it  by  their  courage  and 
patriotism.  The  antipathy  which  at  the  beginning  was  ram- 
pant quickly  toned  down.  The  deportment  of  the  colored 
soldiers  under  insult,  their  bravery  in  battle,  compelled  respect 
from  all  who  had  doubted  their  heroism  or  fidelity. 

In  the  attack  upon  Jacksonville,  which  occurred  on  the 
12th  of  March,  an  old  patriarch  —  too  old  to  do  any  fight- 
ing —  harangued  the  troops,  and  told  tliem  that  every  one  who 
should  be  killed  in  a  cause  so  holy  would  be  pretty  sure  of  step- 
ping directly  into  heaven ;  but  that  if  they  hung  back  and 
showed  that  they  were  cowards,  there  was  n't  much  hope  of 
eternal  life  for  such !  He  was  greatly  venerated  by  the  soldiers, 
for  he  had  l)een  a  preacher. 


248  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [April, 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

THE    IRONCLADS    IN    ACTION. 

After  vexatious  delays,  the  ironclad  fleet  was  ready  for 
action.  It  was  deemed  desirable  to  test  their  armor,  before 
attacking  Sumter,  by  making  a  reconnoissance  of  Fort  McAllis- 
ter, on  the  Ogeechee. 

It  was  late  on  the  afternoon  of  March  1st,  when  the  steamer 
George  Washington  left  Hilton  Head  for  a  trip  to  Ossabow 
Sound.  The  Passaic,  Montauk,  Nahant,  and  Patapsco,  ironclads 
of  the  Monitor  pattern,  were  already  there.  The  Washington  took 
the  "  inside  "  route  up  Wilmington  River  and  through  the  Rum 
ley  marshes.  The  gunboat  Marblehead  was  guarding  the  en 
trance  to  the  river.    It  was  past  sunset,  and  the  tide  was  ebbing 

"  You  had  better  lie  here  till  morning ;  there  are  indications 
that  we  shall  hear  from  those  fellows  up  there,"  said  the  com- 
mander of  the  Marblehead.  Looking  westward  into  the  golden 
light  of  the  departing  day,  we  could  see  the  spires  of  Savannah, 
also  nearer  the  Rebel  gunboats  moving  up  and  down  the  river. 

The  anchor  dropped,  the  chain  rattled  through  the  hawse- 
hole,  the  lights  were  extinguished,  the  guns  put  in  trim ;  the 
look-out  took  his  position ;  the  sentinels  passed  to  and  fro,  peer- 
ing into  the  darkness  ;  a  buoy  was  attached  to  the  cable,  that  it 
might  be  slipped  in  an  instant ;  all  ears  listened  to  catch  the 
sound  of  muffled  oars  or  plashing  paddle-wheels,  but  there  was 
no  sound  save  the  piping  of  the  curlew  in  the  marshes  and  the 
surging  of  the  tide  along  the  reedy  shores.  At  three  o'clock  in 
the  morning  we  were  away  from  our  anchorage,  steaming  up 
Wilmington  River.  The  moonlight  lay  in  a  golden  flood  along 
the  waters,  revealing  the  distant  outline  of  the  Rebel  earth- 
works. How  charming  the  trip !  exhilarating,  and  sufficiently 
exciting,  under  the  expectation  of  falling  in  with  a  hostile  gun- 
boat, to  bring  every  nerve  into  action.  It  was  sunrise  when  the 
Washington  emerged  from  the  marshes  and  came  to  anchor 


1863.]  THE  mONCLADS  IN  ACTION.  249 

among  the  ironclads.  The  Montauk  had  just  completed  a 
glorious  work,  —  the  destruction  of  the  Nashville.  We  had 
heard  the  roar  of  her  guns,  and  the  quick,  ineffectual  firing 
from  Fort  McAllister. 

The  Nashville,  which  began  her  piratical  depredations  by 
burning  the  ship  Harvey  Birch,  ran  into  Savannah,  where  she 
had  been  cooped  up  several  months.  She  had  been  waiting 
many  weeks  for  an  opportunity  to  run  out  to  sea  again.  On 
Saturday  morning,  the  last  day  of  February,  a  dense  fog  hung 
over  the  marshes,  the  islands,  and  inlets  of  Ossabow.  The 
Montauk  lay  at  the  junction  of  the  Great  and  Little  Ogeechee 
Rivers,  when  the  fog  lifted  and  the  Nashville  was  discovered 
aground  above  the  fort. 

The  eyes  of  Captain  Worden  sparkled  as  he  gave  the  com- 
mand to  prepare  for  action.  He  had  not  forgotten  his 
encounter  with  the  Merrimack.  The  Montauk  moved  up 
stream,  came  within  range  of  the  fort,  which  opened  from  all 
its  guns,  but  to  which  Captain  Worden  gave  no  heed.  Tak- 
ing a  position  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  Nashville 
and  half  a  mile  from  the  fort,  he  opened  with  both  guns  upon 
the  grounded  steamer,  to  which  the  Nashville  replied  with  her 
hundred-pounder.  The  third  shell  from  the  Montauk  exploded 
inside  the  steamer,  setting  her  cotton  on  fire.  The  flames  spread 
with  great  rapidity.  Her  crew  fled  to  the  marshes,  the  maga- 
zine soon  exploded,  and  the  career  of  the  Nashville  was  ended. 

At  high  tide  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  March  the  Passaic, 
Patapsco,  and  Nahant  moved  up  the  Ogeechee,  and  opened  fire 
on  the  fort,  to  test  the  working  of  their  machinery.  The  fire 
was  furious  from  the  fort,  but  slow  and  deliberate  from  the 
ironclads.  Several  mortar-schooners  threw  shells  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  fort.  The  monitors  were  obliged  to  retire  with  the 
tide.  They  were  struck  repeatedly,  but  the  balls  fell  harm- 
lessly against  the  iron  plating.  It  was  evident  that  at  the 
distance  of  three  fourths  of  a  mile,  or  a  half-mile  even,  the 
ironclads  could  withstand  the  heaviest  guns,  while  on  the  other 
hand  the  fire  of  the  monitors  must  necessarily  be  very  slow. 
The  attack  was  made,  not  with  the  expectation  of  reducing  the 
fort,  but  to  test  the  monitors  before  the  grand  attack  upon  Fort 
Sumter. 


250  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [April, 

The  first  attack  on  Sumter  occurred  on  the  7th  of  April. 
The  fort  stood  out  in  bold  relief,  the  bright  noon-sun  shining 
full  upon  its  southern  face,  fronting  the  shallow  water  towards 
Morris  Island,  leaving  in  shadow  its  eastern  wall  toward  Moul- 
trie. The  air  was  clear,  and  we  who  were  on  shipboard  just 
beyond  the  reach  of  the  Rebel  guns,  looking  inland  with  our 
glasses,  could  see  the  city,  the  spires,  the  roofs  of  the  houses 
thronged  with  people.  A  three-masted  ship  lay  at  the  wharves, 
the  Rebel  rams  were  fired  up,  sail-boats  were  scudding  across 
the  harbor,  running  down  toward  Sumter,  looking  seaward, 
tlien  hastening  back  again  like  little  children,  expectant  and 
restless  on  great  occasions,  eager  for  something  to  be  done. 

The  attacking  fleet  was  in  the  main  ship-channel,  —  eight 
little  black  specks  but  little  larger  than  the  buoys  which  tossed 
beside  them,  and  one  black,  oblong  block,  the  New  Ironsides, 
the  flag-ship  of  the  fleet.  It  was  difficult  to  comprehend  that 
beneath  the  surface  of  the  sea  there  were  men  as  secure  from 
the  waves  as  bugs  in  a  bottle.  It  was  as  strange  and  romantic 
as  the  stories  which  charmed  the  Arabian  chieftains  in  the  days 
of  Haroun  Al  Raschid. 

The  ironclads  were  about  one  third  of  a  mile  apart,  in  the 
fbllowing  order :  — 

Weehawken,  Patapsco,  Nantucket, 

Passaic,  Ironsides,  Nahant, 

Montauk,  Catskill,  Keokuk. 

The  Keokuk  was  built  by  a  gentleman  who  had  full  faith  in 
her  invulnerability.  She  was  to  be  tested  under  fire  from  the 
Rebel  batteries  before  accepted  by  the  government.  She  had 
sloping  sides,  two  turrets,  and  was  built  for  a  ram.  Tiie  opin 
ions  generally  entertained  were  that  she  would  prove  a  failure. 

General  Hunter  courteously  assigned  the  steamer  Nantucket 
to  the  gentlemen  connected  with  the  press,  giving  them  com- 
plete control  of  the  steamer,  to  go  where  they  pleased,  knowing 
that  there  was  an  intense  desire  not  only  in  the  North,  but 
throughout  the  world,  to  know  the  result  of  the  first  contest 
between  ironclads  and  fortifications.  The  Nantucket  was  a 
small  side-wheel  steamer  of  light  draft,  and  we  were  able  to 
run  in  and  out  over  the  bar  at  will.  Just  before  the  signal 
was  given  for  the  advance  we  ran  alongside  the  flag-ship.     The 


1863.]  THE   IRONCLADS  IN  ACTION.  251 

crew  were  hard  at  work  hoisting  shot  and  shells  from  the  hold 
to  the  deck.  The  upper  deck  was  bedded  with  sand-bags,  the 
pilot-house  wrapped  with  cable.  All  the  light  hamper  was 
taken  down  and  stowed  away.  The  iron  plating  was  slushed 
with  grease.  Rebel  soldiers  were  marching  across  Morris 
Island,  within  easy  range.  A  shell  would  have  sent  them 
in  haste  behind  the  sand-hills ;  but  heavier  work  was  at  hand, 
and  they  were  harmless  just  then. 

It  was  past  one  o'clock  when  the  signal  for  sailing  was  dis 
played  from  the  flag-ship,  and  the  Weehawken,  with  a  raft  at 
her  prow,  intended  to  remove  torpedoes,  answered  the  signal, 
raised  her  anchor,  and  went  steadily  in  with  the  tide,  followed 
by  the  others,  which  maintained  their  respective  positions,  dis- 
tant from  each  other  about  one  third  or  a  half-mile.  In  this 
battle  of  ironclads  there  are  no  clouds  of  canvas,  no  beautiful 
models  of  marine  architecture,  none  of  the  stateliness  and 
majesty  which  have  marked  hundreds  of  great  naval  engage- 
ments. There  are  no  human  beings  in  sight,  —  no  propelling 
power  is  visible.  There  are  simply  eight  black  specks  and 
one  oblong  block  gliding  along  the  water,  like  so  many 
bugs. 

But  Sumter  has  discovered  them,  and  discharges  in  quick  suc- 
cession nine  signal  guns,  to  announce  to  all  Rebeldom  that  the 
attack  is  to  be  made.  Morris  Island  is  mysteriously  silent  as 
the  Weehawken  advances,  although  she  is  within  range.  Past 
Fort  Wagner,  straight  on  toward  Moultrie  the  Weehawken 
moves.  The  silence  is  prolonged.  It  is  almost  painful,  —  the 
calm  before  the  storm,  the  hushed  stillness  before  the  burst 
of  the  tornado ! 

There  comes  a  single  puff  of  smoke  from  Moultrie,  —  one 
deep  reverberation.  The  silence  is  broken,  —  the  long  months 
of  waiting  are  over.  The  shot  flies  across  the  water,  skip- 
ping from  wave  to  wave,  tossing  up  fountains,  hopping  over 
the  deck  of  the  Weehawken,  and  relling  along  the  surface 
with  a  diminishing  ricochet,  sinking  at  last  close  upon  the 
Morris  Island  beach.  Fort  Wagner  continues  the  story,  send- 
ing a  shot  at  the  Weehawken,  which  also  trips  lightly  over  the 
deck,  and  tosses  up  a  water-spout  far  toward  Moultrie.  The 
Weehawken,  unmindful  of  this  play,  opens  its  ports,  and  sends 


262  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [April, 

a  fifteen-inch  solid  shot  toward  Sumter,  which,  like  those  that 
have  been  hurled  toward  her,  takes  a  half-dozen  steps,  making 
for  a  moment  its  footprints  on  the  water,  and  crashes  against 
the  southwest  face  of  the  fort,  followed  a  moment  later  by  its 
eleven-inch  companion.  The  vessel  is  for  a  moment  enveloped 
in  the  smoke  of  its  guns.  Bravely  done !  There  comes  an  an- 
swer. Moultrie,  with  the  tremendous  batteries  on  either  side  by 
the  hotel  and  east  of  it,  and  toward  the  inner  harbor,  bursts  iu 
an  instant  into  sheets  of  flame  and  clouds  of  sulphurous  smoke. 
There  is  one  long  roll  of  thunder,  peal  on  peal ;  deep,  heavy 
reverberations  and  sharp  concussions,  rattling  the  windows  of 
our  steamers,  and  striking  us  at  the  heart  like  hammer  strokes. 

The  ocean  boils !  Columns  of  spray  are  tossed  high  in  air, 
as  if  a  hundred  submarine  fountains  were  let  instantly  on,  or 
a  school  of  whales  were  trying  which  could  spout  highest. 
There  is  a  screaming  in  the  air,  a  buzzing  and  humming  never 
before  so  loud. 

At  five  minutes  before  three  Moultrie  began  the  fire.  Ten 
minutes  have  passed.  The  thunder  has  rolled  incessantly  from 
Sullivan's  Island.  Thus  far  Sumter  has  been  silent,  but  now 
it  is  enveloped  with  a  cloud.  A  moment  it  is  hid  from  view 
—  first  a  line  of  light  along  its  parapet,  and  thick  folds  of 
smoke  unrolling  like  fleeces  of  wool.  Other  flashes  burst 
from  the  casemates,  and  the  clouds  creep  down  the  wall  to  the 
water,  then  slowly  float  away  to  mingle  with  that  rising  from 
the  furnaces  in  the  sand  along  the  shore  of  Sullivan's  Island. 
Then  comes  a  calm, —  a  momentary  cessation.  The  Rebel  gun- 
ners wait  for  the  breeze  to  clear  away  the  cloud,  that  they  may 
obtain  a  view  of  the  monitor,  to  see  if  it  have  not  been  punched 
into  a  sieve,  and  if  it  be  not  already  disappearing  beneath  the 
waves.  But  the  Weeliawken  is  there,  moving  straight  on  up 
the  channel,  turning  now  toward  Moultrie.  To  her  it  has  been 
only  a  handful  of  peas  or  pebbles.  Some  have  rattled  against 
her  turret,  some  upon  her  deck,  some  against  her  sides.  In- 
stead of  going  to  the  bottom,  she  revolves  her  turret,  and  fire 
two  shots  at  Moultrie,  moving  on  the  while  to  gain  the  south 
eastern  wall  of  Sumter. 

Again  the  forts  and  batteries  begin,  joined  n(^w  by  Cum- 
mings  Point  and  long  ranges  from  Fort  Johnson.     ^11  around 


1863.]  THE  IRONCLADS  IN   ACTION.  :253 

the  Weeliawken  the  shot  flash,  plunge,  hop,  skip,  falling  like 
the  rain-drops  of  a  summer  shower.  Unharmed,  undaunted, 
she  moves  straight  on,  feeling  her  way,  moving  slowly,  with 
grappling-irons  dragging  from  the  raft  in  front  to  catch  up 
torpedoes.  It  is  for  the  Weeliawken  to  clear  the  channel,  and 
make  smooth  sailing  for  the  remainder  of  the  fleet. 

To  get  the  position  of  the  Weehawken  at  this  moment,  draw 
a  line  from  Cummings  Point  to  Moultrie,  and  stick  a  pin  on 
the  line  a  little  nearer  to  Moultrie  than  to  Morris  Island.  It  is 
about  one  half  a  mile  from  Moultrie,  about  one  third  of  a  mile 
from  Sumter. 

Tliere  she  is,  —  the  target  of  probably  two  hundred  and  fifty 
or  three  hundred  guns,  of  the  heaviest  calibre,  at  close  range, 
rifled  caimon  throwing  forged  bolts  and  steel-pointed  shot, 
turned  and  polished  to  a  liair  in  the  lathes  of  English  work- 
shops,—  advancing  still,  undergoing  her  first  ordeal,  a  trial 
imparalleled  in  history !  » 

For  fifteen  minutes  she  meets  the  ordeal  alone,  but  the  chan 
nel  found  to  be  clear,  the  Passaic,  the  Montauk,  and  Patapsco 
follow,  closing  up  the  line,  each  coming  in  range  and  deliver- 
ing their  fire  upon  Sumter.  At  twenty  minutes  past  three  the 
four  monitors  composing  the  right  wing  of  the  fleet  are  all  en- 
gaged, each  pressing  on  to  reach  the  northeastern  face  of  the 
fort,  where  the  wall  is  weakest,  each  receiving  as  they  arrive 
at  particular  points  a  terrible  fire,  seemingly  from  aU  points 
of  the  compass,  —  points  selected  by  trial  and  practice  indi- 
cated ))y  buoys.  They  pass  the  destructive  latitudes  un- 
harmed. Seventy  guns  a  minute  are  counted,  followed  by 
moments  of  calm  and  scattering  shots,  but  only  to  break  out 
again  in  a  prolonged  roar  of  thunder.  They  press  on,  making 
nearer  and  nearer  to  Sumter,  narrowing  the  distance  to  one 
thousand  yards,  eight  hundred,  six,  five,  four  hundred  yards, 
and  send  their  fifteen-inch  shot  crashing  against  the  fort,  with 
deliberate,  effective  fire. 

At  first  the  fort  and  the  batteries  and  Moultrie  seem  to  re- 
double their  efforts  in  increasing  the  fire,  but  after  an  hour 
there  is  a  perceptible  diminution  of  the  discharges  from  the 
fort.  After  each  shot  from  the  ironclads,  clouds  of  dust  can 
be  discerned  rising  above  the  fort  and  mingling  with  the  smoke, 


264  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [-^pril. 

Steadying  my  glass  in  the  lulls  of  the  strife,  watching  where 
the  southwest  breeze  whiffs  away  the  smoke,  I  can  see  increas- 
ing pock-marks  and  discolorations  upon  the  walls,  as  if  there 
had  been  a  sudden  breaking  out  of  cutaneous  disease. 

The  flag-ship,  drawing  seventeen  feet  of  water,  was  obliged 
to  move  cautiously,  feeling  her  way  up  the  channel.  Just  as 
she  came  within  range  of  Moultrie  her  keel  touched  bottom 
on  the  east  side  of  the  channel ;  fearing  that  she  would  run 
aground  the  anchor  was  let  go.  Finding  the  vessel  was  clear, 
the  Admiral  again  moved  on,  signalling  the  left  wing  to  press 
forward  to  the  aid  of  the  four  already  engaged.  The  Ironsides 
kept  the  main  channel,  which  brought  her  within  about  one 
thousand  yards  of  Moultrie  and  Sumter.  She  fired  four  guns 
at  Moultrie,  and  received  in  return  a  heavy  fire.  Again  she 
touched  bottom,  and  then  turned  her  bow  across  the  channel 
toward  Sumter,  firing  two  guns  at  Cummings  Point.  After 
this  weak  and  ineffectual  effort,  the  tide  rapidly  ebbing  the 
while,  she  again  got  clear,  but  gave  up  the  attempt  to  advance 
The  Catskill,  Nantucket,  Nahant,  and  Keokuk  pressed  up  witL 
all  possible  speed  to  aid  tlie  four  which  were  receiving  a  tre 
mendous  hammering. 

See  them  sweep  past  the  convergent  points  and  radial  lines ! 
See  the  bubbling  of  the  water,  —  the  straight  columns  thrown 
up  in  the  sunlight,  —  the  flashes,  the  furrows  along  the  waves, 
as  if  a  plough  driven  with  lightning  speed  were  turning  up  the 
water !  They  are  all  close  up  to  Sumter,  within  four  or  five 
hundred  yards.  Behind  them  are  Moultrie  and  Fort  Ripl^^y, 
and  Fort  Beauregard,  flashing,  smoking,  bellowing  ;  in  front  is 
Sumter,  and  in  the  background  are  Fort  Wagner  and  Cum- 
mings Point.  Across  the  shallow  waters  is  Fort  Johnson ; 
still  farther  off  to  the  right  is  Castle  Pinckney,  too  far  away 
to  do  damage.  From  all  sides  the  balls  fall  around  the  fleet. 
Calmly  and  deliberately  the  fire  is  returned,  —  with  a  delibera- 
tion which  must  have  commanded  the  admiration  of  the  enemy. 

The  Keokuk  presented  a  fair  mark  with  her  sloping  sides  and 
double  turrets.  Her  commander,  Captain  Rhind,  although  not 
having  entire  confidence  in  her  invulnerability,  was  determined 
to  come  to  close  quarters.  She  was  not  to  be  outdone  by  tlie  iron- 
clads who  had  led  the  advance.    Swifter  than  they,  drawing  less 


1863.]  THE   IKONCLADS   IN   ACTlOl^.  26f 

water,  she  made  haste  to  get  up  with  the  Weehawkcn.  The 
guns  which  had  been  trained  upon  the  others  were  brought  to 
bear  upon  her.  Where  she  sailed  the  fire  was  fiercest.  Hei 
plating  was  but  pine  wood  to  the  steel  projectiles,  flying  with 
almost  tlic  swiftness  of  a  minie  bullet.  Shot  which  glanced 
harmlessly  from  the  others  penetrated  her  angled  sides.  Hei 
after  turret  was  pierced  in  a  twinkling,  and  a  two-hundred 
pound  projectile  dropped  inside.  A  heavy  shot  crashed  into 
the  surgeon's  dispensary,  and  mixed  emetics,  cathartics,  pills 
and  powders  not  according  to  prescriptions.  The  enem^ 
noticed  the  efiect  of  his  shot  and  increased  his  fire.  Captain 
Rhind  was  not  easily  daunted.  He  opened  his  forward  turret 
and  gave  three  shots  in  return  for  the  three  or  four  hundred 
rained  around  him.  The  sea  with  every  passing  wave  swept 
through  the  shot-holes,  and  he  was  forced  to  retire  or  go  to  the 
bottom  with  all  on  board. 

The  tide  was  ebbing  fast,  and  the  signal  for  retiring  was  dis- 
played by  the  flag-ship.  It  was  raised,  seemingly,  at  an  inop- 
portune moment,  for  the  fire  of  the  fort  had  sensibly  diminished, 
while  that  from  the  ironclads  was  steady  and  true.  It  was 
past  five  o'clock,  almost  sunset,  when  the  fleet  came  back. 
Never  had  there  been  such  a  hammering  of  iron  and  smashing 
of  masonry  as  during  two  and  a  half  hours  of  that  afternoon. 
The  gunboat  Bibb,  the  Ben  Deford,  and  the  Nantasket  had 
taken  position  in  the  North  Channel  at  a  respectful  distance  ofl" 
Sullivan's  Island.  A  mile  or  two  east  of  Moultrie  is  Beach 
Inlet,  where  a  powerful  battery  had  been  erected.  While  in 
tently  gazing  on  the  contest,  the  correspondents  and  all  hands 
on  the  other  steamers  were  startled  by  hearing  the  whifi"  and 
whiz  of  a  rifle  projectile,  which  came  diagonally  across  the 
Nantasket,  across  the  bow  of  the  Ben  Deford,  falling  into  the 
sea  about  one  hundred  yards  ahead.  There  was  a  laugh- 
able cuddling  down  and  scampering  for  the  coal-bunkers,  the 
engine-room,  and  between  decks.  There  was  an  immediate 
haulhig  in  of  cables  and  motion  of  paddle-wheels.  A  second 
shot  in  admirable  line  fell  short.  We  being  at  anchor  and 
within  range,  the  Rebel  gunner  had  made  nice  calculations. 
Ho  had  already  fired  a  half-dozen  sliots,  Avliicli  liad  fallen  far 
uhead  unnoticed.     Cummiiio^s  Point  also  tried  to  reach  u?  witli 


256  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [April, 

sheila,  but  failed.      One  of  the  correspondents  claimed  that  the 
press  completely  silenced  a  battery  —  by  getting  out  of  the  way ! 

Steaming  into  the  retiring  fleet  we  ran  alongside  the  Keokuk 
A  glance  at  her  sides  showed  how  terrible  the  fire  had  been. 
Her  smoke-stack,  turrets,  sides,  —  all  were  scarred,  gashed, 
pierced  through  and  through.  An  inspection  revealed  ninety- 
four  short-marks.  There  were  none  below  the  water-line,  but 
each  wave  swept  through  the  holes  on  the  sides.  Her  pumps 
were  going  and  she  was  kept  free.  Only  three  of  her  officers 
and  crew  were  wounded,  although  she  had  been  so  badly  per- 
forated. 

"  All  right,  nobody  hurt,  ready  for  them  again,"  was  the 
hearty  response  of  Captain  George  Rodgers,  of  the  Catskill,  as 
I  stepped  upon  the  slushed  deck  of  that  vessel  and  grasped  the 
hand  of  her  wide-awake  commander.  The  Catskill  had  received 
about  thirty  shots.  One  two-hundred-pounder,  thrown  evidently 
from  a  barbette  gun,  had  fallen  with  tremendous  force  upon  the 
deck,  bending,  but  not  breaking  or  penetrating  the  iron.  On 
the  sides,  on  the  turret,  and  on  the  pilot-house  were  indenta- 
tions like  saucers,  but  there  was  no  sign  of  serious  damage. 

The  Nahant  came  down  to  her  anchorage  with  a  gashed 
smoke-stack.  Going  on  board,  we  found  that  eleven  of  her 
officers  and  crew  had  received  contusions  from  the  flying  of 
bolt-heads  in  the  turret.  One  shot  had  jammed  the  lower  ridge 
of  her  turret,  interfering  with  its  revolution.  She  had  been 
struck  forty  times,  but — aside  from  the  loss  of  a  few  bolt-heads, 
a  diminished  draft  to  her  chimney,  and  the  slight  jam  upon 
the  turret  —  her  armor  was  intact. 

The  other  monitors  had  each  a  few  bolts  started.  Four  gun- 
carriages  needed  repairs,  —  injured  not  by  the  enemy's  shot, 
but  by  their  own  recoU.  One  shot  had  ripped  up  the  plating 
of  the  Patapsco  and  pierced  the  wood-work  beneath.  This  was 
the  only  shot,  out  of  the  twenty-five  hundred  or  three  thousand 
supposed  to  have  been  fired  from  the  forts  which  penetrated 
the  monitors ! 

The  Weehawken  had  received  three  heavy  shot  upon  her 
side,  the  indentations  close  together.  The  plates  were  badlj 
bent,  but  the  shot  had  fallen  as  harmlessly  as  pebbles  upon  the 
side  of  a  barn. 


1863.]  THE  IRONCLADS  IN  ACTION.  257 

The  Ironsides  had  received  thirty  balls,  all  of  which  had  been 
turned  by  her  armor. 

One  hundred  and  fifty-three  shots  were  fired  by  the  fleet, 
against  twenty-five  hundred  or  three  thousand  by  the  Rebels. 
The  monitors  were  struck  in  the  aggregate  about  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  times. 

About  six  thousand  pounds  of  iron  were  hurled  at  Port 
Sumter  during  the  short  time  the  fleet  was  engaged,  and  prob- 
ably five  or  six  times  that  amount  of  metal,  or  thirty  thousand 
pounds,  was  thrown  at  the  fleet.  The  casualties  on  board  the 
fleet  were, — none  killed  ;  one  mortally,  one  seriously,  and  thir- 
teen slightly  wounded. 

Captain  Ammen,  commanding  the  Patapsfto,  was  confident 
that  the  last  shots  which  he  fired  passed  through  the  wall  of  the 
fort.  He  and  other  commanders  obeyed  the  signal  for  retiring 
with  great  reluctance.  They  saw  that  the  fire  of  the  fort  was 
growing  weaker,  —  that  the  wall  was  crumbling.  It  is  now 
known  that  the  Rebel  commander.  General  Ripley,  was  on  the 
point  of  evacuating  the  fort  when  the  signal  was  made  for  the 
fleet  to  withdraw.  The  wall  was  badly  shattered,  and  a  few 
more  shots  would  have  made  it  a  complete  ruin. 

The  lower  casemates  were  soon  after  filled  with  sand-bags, 
the  guns  having  been  removed.  The  walls  were  buttressed  with 
palmetto  logs,  and  the  fort  lost  nearly  all  of  its  original  features, 
but  was  made  stronger  than  ever. 

The  Keokuk  sunk  in  the  morning  on  the  bar.  Tlie  sea  was 
rough,  and  the  water  poured  through  the  shot-holes  with  every 
wave,  so  that  it  was  found  impossible  to  keep  her  afloat. 

Admiral  Dupont  decided  not  to  renew  the  attack,  which 
caused  a  good  deal  of  murmuring  among  the  soldiers  in  the 
fleet.  The  ironclads  returned  to  Hilton  Head  for  repairs,  the 
expedition  was  abandoned,  and  Sumter  was  left  tc  float  its  flag 
in  defiance  of  Federal  authority. 


17 


26B  THE    BOYS    OF    '61. 


[June, 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

THE    INVASION    OF    PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  second  invasion  of  the  North  was  planned  immediatelj 
alter  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville.  The  movement  of  General 
Leo  was  upon  a  great  circle,  —  down  the  valley  of  the  Shenan- 
doah, crossing  the  Potomac  at  Williamsport  with  his  infantry 
and  artillery,  while  General  Stuart,  with  the  main  body  of 
Rebel  cavalry,  kept  east  of  the  Blue  Ridge  to  conceal  the  ad- 
vance of  the  infantry. 

General  Hooker,  at  Fredericksburg,  the  first  week  in  June, 
received  positive  information  that  Lee  was  breaking  up  his 
camp,  and  that  some  of  his  divisions  were  moving  towards 
Culpepper.  The  dust-clouds  which  rose  above  the  tree-tops 
indicated  that  the  Rebel  army  was  in  motion.  The  Army  of 
the  Potomac  immediately  broke  up  its  camp  and  moved  to 
Catlett's  Station,  on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  where 
intelligence  was  received  that  Stuart  had  massed  the  Rebel 
cavalry  at  Brandy  Station  for  a  raid  in  Pennsylvania. 

Ocneral  Plcasanton,  commanding  the  cavalry,  was  sent  with 
liis  entire  ibi-ce  to  look  into  the  matter.  He  fell  upon  Stuart 
on  the  I'Lli  of  June,  on  the  broad,  open  plains  along  the  Rap- 
pahannock. A  desperate  battle  ensued,  —  probably  it  was  the 
greatest  cavalry  battle  of  tlie  war,  —  in  whicli  Stuart  was  driven 
back  upon  the  Rebel  infantry,  which  was  hurried  up  from  Cul- 
pepper to  his  support.  The  object  of  tlie  attack  was  accom- 
plished,—  Stuart's  raid  was  postponed  and  Lee's  movement 
unmasked.  On  the  same  day,  Lee's  advanced  divisions  reached 
Wincliester,  attacked  General  Milroy,  captured  the  town,  the 
cannon  in  the  fortifications,  and  moved  on  to  the  Potomac. 

Hastening  to  Pennsylvania,  I  became  an  observer  of  the  great 
events  which  followed.  The  people  of  the  Keystone  State  in 
1862  rushed  to  arms  when  Lee  crossed  tlie  Potomac,  but  in 
1803  they  were  strangely  apathetic,  —  intent  upon  conveying 
their  property  to  a  place  of  security,  instead  of  defending  their 


CAVALRY    CHARGE. 


ii863.]  THE  INVASION  OF   PENNSYLVANIA.  269 

homes.     In  '62  the  cry  was,  "  Drive  the  enemy  from  our  soil ! " 
in  '63,  *'  Where  shall  we  hide  our  goods  ?  " 

Harrisburg  was  a  Bedlam  when  I  entered  it  on  the  15th  of 
june. 

The  railroad  stations  were  crowded  with  an  excited  people,  — 
men,  women,  and  children,  —  with  trunks,  boxes,  bundles ; 
packages  tied  up  in  bed-blankets  and  quilts  ;  mountains  of  bag- 
gage, —  tumbling  it  into  the  cars,  rushing  here  and  there  in 
a  frantic  manner ;  shouting,  screaming,  as  if  the  Rebels  wero 
about  to  dash  into  the  town  and  lay  it  in  ashes.  The  railroad 
authorities  were  removing  their  cars  and  engines.  The  mer- 
chants were  packing  up  their  goods  ;  housewives  were  secreting 
their  silver  ;  everywhere  there  was  a  hurly-burly.  The  excite- 
ment was  increased  when  a  train  of  army  wagons  came  rum- 
bling over  the  long  bridge  across  the  Susquehannah,  accom- 
panied by  a  squadron  of  cavalry.  It  was  Milroy's  train,  which 
had  been  ordered  to  make  its  way  into  Pennsylvania. 

"  The  Rebels  will  be  here  to-morrow  or  next  day,"  said  the 
teamsters. 

At  the  State-House,  men  in  their  shirt-sleeves  were  packing 
papers  into  boxes.  Every  team,  every  horse  and  mule  and 
handcart  in  the  town  were  employed.  There  was  a  steady  stream 
of  teams  thundering  across  the  bridge  ;  farmers  from  the  Cum- 
berland valley,  with  their  household  furniture  piled  upon  the 
great  wagons  peculiar  to  the  locality  ;  bedding,  tables,  chairs, 
their  wives  and  children  perched  on  the  top  ;  kettles  and  pails 
dangling  beneath  ;  boys  driving  cattle  and  horses,  excited,  wor- 
ried, fearing  they  knew  not  what.  The  scene  was  painful, 
yet  ludicrous. 

General  Couch  was  in  command  at  Harrisburg.  He  had 
but  a  few  troops.  He  erected  fortifications  across  the  river, 
planted  what  few  cannon  he  had,  and  made  preparations  to 
defend  the  place. 

General  Lee  was  greatly  in  need  of  horses,  and  his  cavalry- 
men, under  General  Jenkins,  ravaged  the  Cumberland  Yalley. 
A  portion  visited  Chambersburg  ;  another  party,  Mercersburg  ; 
another,  Gettysburg,  before  any  infantry  entered  the  State. 

Ewell's  corps  of  Lee's  army  crossed  the  Potomac,  a  division 
at  Williamsport,  and  another  at  Shepherdstown,  on  the  22d  of 


260  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

June,  and  came  together  at  Ilagerstown.  The  main  body  of 
Lee's  army  was  at  Winchester.  Stuart  had  moved  along  the 
eastern  base  of  the  Bkie  Ridge,  and  had  come  in  contact  with 
a  portion  of  Pleasanton's  cavalry  at  Aldie  and  Middlebiirg. 
Hooker  had  swung  the  army  up  to  Fairfax  and  CentreT.lle, 
moving  on  an  inner  circle,  with  Washington  for  a  pivot. 

Visiting  Baltimore,  where  General  Schenck  was  in  command, 
1  found  the  Marylanders  much  more  alive  to  the  exigencies  of 
the  hour  than  the  Pennsylvanians.  Instead  of  hurrying  north- 
ward with  their  household  furniture,  they  were  hard  at  work 
building  fortifications  and  barricading  the  streets.  Hogsheads 
of  tobacco,  barrels  of  pork,  old  carts,  wagons,  and  lumber  were 
piled  across  the  streets,  and  patriotic  citizens  stood,  musket  in 
hand,  prepared  to  pick  off  any  Rebel  troops. 

Colored  men  were  impressed  to  construct  fortifications.  They 
were  shy  at  first,  fearing  it  was  a  trap  to  get  them  into  slavery, 
but  when  they  found  they  were  to  defend  the  city,  they  gave 
enthusiastic  demonstrations  of  joy.  They  went  to  their  work 
singing  their  Marseillaise, 

"  John  Brown's  body,**  &c. 

While  writing  in  the  Eutaw  House,  I  heard  the  song  sung 
by  a  thousand  voices,  accompanied  by  the  steady  tramp,  tramp, 
tramp  of  the  men  marching  down  the  street,  cheering  General 
Schenck  as  they  passed  his  quarters. 

How  rapid  the  revolution  !  Twenty-six  months  before,  Mas- 
sachusetts troops  had  fought  their  way  through  the  city,  now 
the  colored  men  were  singing  of  John  Brown  amid  the  cheers 
of  the  people  I 

General  Hooker  waited  in  front  of  Washington  till  he  was 
certain  of  Lee's  intentions,  and  then  by  a  rapid  march  pushed 
on  to  Frederick.  Lee's  entire  army  was  across  the  Potomac. 
Ewell  was  at  York,  enriching  himself  by  reprisals,  stealings, 
and  confiscations.  General  Hooker  asked  that  the  troops  at 
Harper's  Ferry  might  be  placed  under  his  command,  that  ho 
might  wield  the  entire  available  force  and  crush  Lee  ;  this  was 
refused,  whereupon  he  informed  the  War  Department  that,  un- 
less this  condition  were  complied  with,  he  wished  to  be  relieved 
Vif  the  command  of  the  army.      The  matter  was  laid  before 


1863.]  THE   INVASION   OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  261 

the  President  and  his  request  was  granted.  General  Meade 
was  placed  in  command ;  and  what  was  denied  to  General  Hook 
er  was  substantially  granted  to  General  Meade,  —  that  he  waa 
to  use  his  best  judgment  in  holding  or  evacuating  Harper's 
Ferry !  General  Halleck  was  military  adviser  to  the  President, 
and  the  question  between  him  and  Hooker  was  whether  Hal- 
leck, sitting  in  his  chair  at  Washington,  or  Hooker  at  the  head 
of  the  army,  should  fight  General  Lee.  The  march  of  Hooker 
from  Fairfax  to  Frederick  was  one  of  the  most  rapid  of  the  war. 
The  Eleventh  Corps  marched  fifty-four  miles  in  two  days,  —  a 
striking  contrast  to  the  movement  in  September,  1862,  wlicn 
the  army  made  but  five  miles  a  day. 

It  was  a  dismal  day  at  Frederick  when  the  news  was  promul- 
gated that  General  Hooker  was  relieved  of  the  command.  Not- 
withstanding the  result  at  Chancellorsville,  the  soldiers  had  a 
good  degree  of  confidence  in  him.  General  Meade  was  un- 
known except  to  his  own  corps.  He  entered  the  war  as  briga- 
dier in  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves.  He  commanded  a  division 
at  Antietam  and  at  Fredericksburg,  and  the  FiHh  Corps  at 
Chancellorsville. 

General  Meade  cared  but  little  for  the  pomp  and  parade  of 
war.  His  own  soldiers  respected  him  because  he  was  always 
prepared  to  endure  hardships.  They  saw  a  tall,  slim,  gray- 
bearded  man,  wearing  a  slouch  hat,  a  plain  blue  blouse,  with 
his  pantaloons  tucked  into  his  boots.  He  was  plain  of  speech, 
and  familiar  in  conversation.  He  enjoyed  in  a  high  degree, 
especially  after  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  the  confidence  of 
the  President. 

I  saw  him  soon  after  he  was  informed  that  the  army  was  un- 
der his  command.  There  was  no  elation,  but  on  the  contrary  ho 
seemed  weighed  down  with  a  sense  of  the  responsibility  resting 
on  him.  It  was  in  the  hotel  at  Frederick  He  stood  silent  and 
thoughtful  by  himself.  Few  of  all  the  noisy  crowd  around  knew 
of  the  change  that  had  taken  place.  The  correspondents  of  the 
press  knew  it  long  before  the  corps  commanders  were  informed 
of  the  fact.  No  change  was  made  in  the  machinery  of  the  army, 
and  there  was  but  a  few  hours'  delay  in  its  movement. 

General  Hooker  bade  farewell  to  the  principal  ofiicers  of  tlio 
army  on  the  afternoon  of  the  28th.     They  were  drawn  up  iu 


262  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

line.  He  shook  hands  with  each  officer,  laboring  in  vain  to 
Btifle  his  emotion.  The  tears  rolled  down  liis  cheeks.  The 
officers  were  deeply  affected.  He  said  tliat  he  had  hoped  to  lead 
them  to  victory,  but  the  power  above  him  had  ordered  other- 
wise. He  spoke  in  high  terms  of  General  Meade.  He  be- 
lieved that  they  would  defeat  the  enemy  under  his  leadership. 

While  writing  out  the  events  of  the  day  in  the  parlor  of  a 
private  house  during  the  evening,  I  heard  the  comments  of 
several  officers  upon  the  change  which  had  taken  place. 

"  Well,  I  think  it  is  too  bad  to  have  him  removed  just  now," 
said  a  captain. 

"  I  wonder  if  we  shall  have  McClellan  back  ?  "  queried  a 
lieutenant. 

"  Well,  gentlemen,  I  don't  know  about  Hooker  as  a  com- 
mander in  the  field,  but  I  do  know  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
was  never  so  well  fed  and  clothed  as  it  has  been  since  Joe 
Hooker  took  command." 

"  That  is  so,"  said  several. 

After  a  short  silence,  another  officer  took  up  the  conversar 
tion  and  said,  — 

"  Yes,  the  army  was  in  bad  condition  when  he  took  command 
of  it,  and  bad  off  every  way  ;  out  it  never  was  in  better  condi- 
tion than  it  is  to-day,  and  the  men  begin  to  like  him." 

The  army  was  too  patriotic  to  express  any  dissatisfaction, 
and  in  a  few  days  the  event  was  wholly  forgotten. 

It  was  evident  that  a  collision  of  the  two  armies  must  take 
place  before  many  days,  and  their  positions,  and  the  lines 
of  movement  indicated  that  it  must  be  near  Gettysburg,  which 
is  the  county  seat  of  Adams,  Pennsylvania,  nearly  forty  miles 
a  little  north  of  east  from  Frederick,  on  the  head-waters  of 
the  Monocacy.  Rock  Creek,  which  in  spring-time  leaps  over 
huge  granite  boulders,  runs  south,  a  mile  east  of  the  town,  and 
is  the  main  stem  of  the  Monocacy.  Being  a  county  seat,  it  is 
also  a  grand  centre  for  that  section  of  the  State,  contains  three 
thousand  inhabitants,  and  has  a  pleasant  location,  surrounded 
with  scenery  of  quiet  beauty,  hills,  valleys,  tlie  dark  outline 
and  verdure-clad  sides  of  the  Blue  Ridge  in  the  west,  and  the 
billowy  Catoctin  range  on  the  scuth.  Roads  radiate  in  all 
directions.  It  was  a  central  point,  admitting  of  a  quick  cod 
centration  of  forces. 


1863.J 


THE  INVASION   OF   PENNSYLVANIA. 


263 


The  army  commanded  by  General  Meade  consisted  of  seven 
corps. 

1.  Major-General  Reynolds ;  2.  Major-Gencral  Ilancock ;  3. 
Major-General  Sickles ;  5.  Major-Gencral  Sykes ;  6.  Major- 
General  Sedgwick ;  11.  Major-General  Howard ;  12.  Major- 
General  Slocum. 

As  Ewell  was  at  York,  and  as  Lee  was  advancing  in  that 
direction,  it  was  necessary  to  take  a  wide  sweep  of  country  in 
the  march.  All  Sunday  the  army  was  passing  through  Fred- 
erick. It  was  a  strange  sight.  The  churches  were  open,  and 
some  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  attended  service,  —  a  precious 
privilege  to  those  who  before  entering  the  army  were  engaged 
in  Sabbath  schools.  The  stores  also  were  open,  and  the  town 
was  cleaned  of  goods,  —  boots,  shoes,  needles,  pins,  tobacco, 
pipes,  paper,  pencils,  and  other  trifles  which  add  to  a  soldier's 
comfort. 

Cavalry,  infantry,  and  artillery  were  pouring  through  the 
town,  the  bands  playing,  and  the  soldiers  singing  their  liveliest 


.eETJYSBURG 


i  H  L  1/  >/ 


WESTMINSTER 


[Frederick 


264  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

songs.  The  First  Corps  moved  up  the  Emmettsburg  road,  and 
formed  the  left  of  the  line  ;  the  Eleventh  Corps  marched  up 
a  parallel  road  a  little  farther  east,  through  Griegerstown.  The 
Tliird  and  Twelfth  Corps  moved  on  parallel  roads  leading  to 
Tanejtown.  The  Second  and  Fifth  moved  still  farther  east, 
through  Liberty  and  Uniontown,  while  the  Sixth,  with  Gregg's 
division  of  cavalry,  went  to  Westminster,  forming  the  right  of 
the  line. 

The  lines  of  march  were  like  the  sticks  of  a  fan,  Frederick 
being  the  point  of  divergence. 

On  this  same  Sunday  afternoon  Lee  was  at  Chambersburg, 
directing  Ewcll,  who  was  at  York,  to  move  to  Gettysburg.  A. 
P.  Hill  was  moving  east  from  Chambersburg  towards  the  same 
point,  while  Long-street's,  the  last  corps  to  cross  the  Pole  mac, 
was  moving  through  Waynesboro'  and  Fairfield,  marching  north- 
east towards  the  same  point. 

It  was  a  glorious  spectacle,  that  movement  of  the  army  north 
from  Frederick.  I  left  the  town  accompanying  the  Second  and 
Fifth  Corps.  Long  lines  of  men  and  innumerable  wagons  were 
visible  in  every  direction.  The  people  of  Maryland  welcomed 
the  soldiers  hospitably. 

When  the  Fifth  Corps  passed  through  the  town  of  Liberty, 
a  farmer  rode  into  the  village,  mounted  on  his  farm-wagon. 
His  load  was  covered  by  white  table-cloths. 

"  What  have  ye  got  to  sell,  old  fellow  ?  Bread,  eh  ?  "  said  a 
soldier,  raising  a  corner  of  the  cloth,  and  revealing  loaves  of 
dwoet  soft  plain  bread,  of  the  finest  wheat,  with  several  bushels 
of  ginger-cakes. 

"  What  do  you  ask  for  a  loaf?  " 

"  I  have  n't  any  to  sell,"  said  the  farmer. 

"  Have  n't  any  to  sell  ?     What  are  ye  here  for  ?  " 

The  farmer  made  no  reply. 

"  See  here,  old  fellow,  won't  ye  sell  me  a  hunk  of  your 
gingerbread  ?  "  said  the  soldier,  producing  an  old  wallet. 

"  No." 

"  Well,  you  are  a  mean  old  cuss.  It  would  be  serving  you 
right  to  tip  you  out  of  your  old  bread-cart.  Here  we  are  mar  civ 
ing  all  night  and  all  day  to  protect  your  property,  and  fight  the 
Rebs.     We  have  n't  had  any  breakfast,  and  may  not  have  any 


1863.]  THE  INVASION   OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  266 

dinner.     You  are  a  set  of  mean  cusses  round  here,  I  reckon,'* 
said  the  soldier. 

A  crowd  of  soldiers  had  gathered,  and  others  expressed  their 
indignation.  The  old  farmer  stood  up  on  his  wagon-seat,  took 
off  the  table-cloth^,  and  replied,  — 

"  I  did  n't  bring  my  bread  here  to  sell.  My  wife  and  daugh- 
ters set  up  all  night  to  bake  it  for  you,  and  you  are  welcome  to 
all  I  've  got,  and  wish  I  had  ten  times  as  much.  Ilelp  your 
selves,  boys." 

"  Hurrah !  hurrah !  hurrah !  "  "  Bully  for  you !  "  "  You  're 
a  brick  !  "  "Three  cheers  for  the  old  man !  "  "  Three  more 
for  the  old  woman !  "     "  Three  more  for  the  girls  !  " 

They  threw  up  their  caps,  and  fairly  danced  with  joy.  The 
bread  and  cakes  were  gone  in  a  twinkling. 

"  See  here,  my  friend,  I  take  back  all  the  hard  words  I  said 
about  you,"  said  the  soldier,  shaking  hands  with  the  farmer, 
who  sat  on  his  wagon  overcome  with  emotion. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  General  Reynolds,  who  was  at  Emmetts- 
burg,  sent  word  to  General  Meade  that  the  Rebels  were  evi- 
dently approaching  Gettysburg.  At  the  same  time,  the  Rebel 
General  Stuart,  with  his  cavalry,  appeared  at  Westminster.  He 
had  tarried  east  of  the  Blue  Ridge  till  Lee  was  across  the  Poto- 
mac, —  till  Meade  had  started  from  Frederick,  —  then  crossing 
the  Potomac  at  Edwards's  Ferry,  he  pushed  directly  northeast 
of  the  Monocacy,  east  of  Meade's  army,  through  Westminster, 
whore  he  had  a  slight  skirmish  with  some  of  the  Union  cavalry, 
moved  up  the  pike  to  Littlestown  and  Hanover  and  joined 
Lee. 

Riding  to  Westminster  I  overtook  General  Gregg's  division 
of  cavalry,  and  on  Wednesday  moved  forward  with  it  to  Han- 
over Junction,  which  is  thirty  miles  east  of  Gettysburg.  There, 
while  our  horses  were  eating  their  corn  at  noon,  I  heard  the 
distant  cannonade,  the  opening  of  the  great  battle. 

Striking  directly  across  the  country,  I  rejoined  tho  Fifth 
Corps  at  Hanover.  There  were  dead  horses  and  dead  soldiers 
in  the  streets  lying  where  they  fell.  The  wounded  had  been 
gathered  into  a  school-house,  and  the  warm-hearted  women  of 
the  place  were  ministering  to  their  comfort.  It  was  evening. 
The  bivouac  fires  of  the  Fifth  Corps  were  gleaming  in  the 


266  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

meadows  west  of  the  town,  and  the  worn  and  weary  soldiers 
were  asleep,  catching  a  few  hours  of  repose  before  moving  on 
to  the  place  where  they  were  to  lay  down  their  lives  for  their 
country. 

It  was  past  eight  o'clock  on  Thursday  morning,  July  2d,  be- 
fore we  reached  the  field.  The  Fifth  Corps,  turning  off  from 
the  Hanover  road,  east  of  Rock  Creek,  passed  over  to  the  Bal- 
timore pike,  crossed  Rock  Creek,  filed  through  the  field  on  the 
left  hand  and  moved  towards  Little  Round-top,  or  Weed's  Hill 
as  it  is  now  called. 

Riding  directly  up  the  pike  towards  the  cemetery,  I  saw  the 
Twelfth  Corps  on  my  right,  in  \\\q  thick  woods  crowning  Culp's 
Hill.  Beyond,  north  of  the  pike,  was  the  First  Corps.  Ammu- 
nition wagons  were  going  up,  and  the  artillerymen  were  filling 
their  limber  chests.     Pioneers  were  cutting  down  the  trees. 

Reaching  the  top  of  the  hill  in  front  of  the  cemetery  gate  the 
battle-field  was  in  view.  To  understand  a  battle,  the  movements 
of  the  opposing  forces,  and  what  they  attempt  to  accomplish,  it 
is  necessary  first  to  comprehend  the  ground,  its  features,  the 
hills,  hollows,  woods,  ravines,  ledges,  roads,  —  how  they  are 
related.  A  rocky  hill  is  frequently  a  fortress  of  itself.  Rail  fen- 
ces and  stone  walls  are  of  value,  and  a  ravine  may  be  equiva- 
lent to  ten  thousand  men. 

Tying  my  horse  and  ascending  the  stairs  to  the  top  of  the 
gateway  building,  I  could  look  directly  down  upon  the  town. 
The  houses  were  not  forty  rods  distant.  Northeast,  three 
fourths  of  a  mile,  was  Culp's  Hill. 

On  the  northern  side  of  the  Baltimore  pike  were  newly 
mown  fields,  the  grass  springing  fresh  and  green  since  the 
mower  had  swept  over  it.  In  those  fields  were  batteries  with 
breastworks  thrown  up  by  Howard  on  Wednesday  night, — 
light  affairs,  not  intended  to  resist  cannon-shot,  but  to  protect 
the  cannoneers  from  sharpshooters.  Howard's  lines  of  infantry 
were  behind  stone-walls.  The  cannoneers  were  lying  beside 
their  pieces,  —  sleeping  perhaps,  but  at  any  rate  keeping  close, 
for,  occasionally,  a  bullet  came  singing  past  them.  Looking 
north  over  the  fields,  a  mile  or  two,  we  saw  a  beautiful  farming 
country,  —  fields  of  ripened  grain,  —  russet  mingled  with  the 
?Teea  in  the  landscape. 


1863.]  THE  INVASION   OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  267 

Conspicuous  among  the  buildings  is  the  almshouse,  with  its 
brick  walls,  great  barn,  and  numerous  out-buildings,  on  tho 
flarrisburg  road.  Beyond  are  the  houses  of  David  and  John 
Blocher,  —  John  Blocher's  being  at  the  junction  of  the  Car- 
lisle and  Newville  roads.  Looking  over  the  town,  the  buildings 
of  Pennsylvania  College  are  in  full  view,  between  the  road 
leading  northwest  to  Mummasburg,  and  the  unfinished  track  of 
a  railroad  running  west  through  a  deep  excavation  a  half-mile 
from  the  college.  The  Chambersburg  turnpike  runs  parallel 
to  the  railroad.  South  of  this  is  the  Lutheran  Theological 
Seminary,  beautifully  situated,  in  front  of  a  shady  grove  of 
oaks.  West  and  southwest  we  look  upon  wheat,  clover,  and 
corn  fields,  on  both  sides  of  the  road  leading  to  Emmettsburg. 
A  half-mile  west  of  this  road  is  an  elevated  ridge  of  land, 
crowned  with  apple-orchards  and  groves  of  oaks.  Turning  to 
the  southeast,  two  miles  distant,  is  Round-top,  shaped  like  a 
Bugar-loaf,  rocky,  steep,  hard  to  climb,  on  its  western  face, 
easy  to  be  held  by  those  who  have  possession,  clad  with  oaks 
and  pines.  Nearer,  a  little  east  of  the  meridian,  is  Weed's 
Hill,  with  Plum  Run  at  its  western  base,  flowing  through  a 
rocky  ravine.  From  the  sides  of  the  hill,  and  on  its  top,  great 
boulders  bulge,  like  plums  in  a  pudding.  It  is  very  stony 
west  of  the  hill,  as  if  Nature  in  making  up  the  mould  had 
dumped  the  dShris  there. 

Between  Round-top  and  Weed's  there  is  a  gap,  where  men 
bent  on  a  desperate  enterprise  might  find  a  passway.  Between 
Weed's  and  the  cemetery  the  ridge  is  broken  down  and 
smoothed  out  into  fields  and  pastures.  The  road  to  Taney- 
town  runs  east  of  this  low  ridge,  the  road  to  Emmettsburg 
west  of  it.  A  small  house  stands  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Taney  town  road,  with  the  American  flag  flying  in  front  of  it. 
There  are  horses  hitched  to  tne  fences,  while  others  are  nib- 
bling the  grass  in  the  fields.  Officers  with  stars  on  their  shoul- 
ders are  examining  maps,  writing,  and  sending  off  cavalrymen. 
It  is  General  Meade's  head-quarters.  When  the  Rebel  batteries 
open  it  will  be  a  warm  place. 

Having  taken  a  general  look  at  the  field,  I  rode  forward 
towards  the  town,  between  Stewart's  and  Taft's  batteries,  in 
position  on  either  side  of  the  road.  Soldiers  in  blue  were  ly- 
ing behind  the  garden  fences. 


268  THE  BOYS   OF   '61  "Jmie» 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  "  said  one. 

"  Into  the  town." 

"  I  reckon  not.  The  Rebs  hold  it,  and  I  advise  you  to  turn 
about.  It  is  rather  dangerous  where  you  are.  The  Rebels  are 
right  over  there  in  that  brick  house." 

Right  over  there  was  not  thirty  rods  distant. 

"  Ping  !  "  —  and  there  was  the  sharp  ring  of  a  bullet  over 
our  heads. 

General  Howard  was  in  the  cemetery  with  his  maps  and 
plans  spread  upon  the  ground. 

''  We  are  just  taking  a  lunch,  and  there  is  room  for  one 
more,"  was  his  kind  and  courteous  welcome.  Then  removing 
his  hat,  he  asked  God  to  bless  the  repast.  The  bullets  were 
occasionally  singing  over  us.  Soldiers  were  taking  up  the 
headstones  and  removing  the  monuments  from  their  pedes- 
tals. 

"  I  want  to  preserve  them,  besides,  if  a  shot  should  strike  a 
stone,  the  pieces  of  marble  would  be  likely  to  do  injury,"  said 
the  General. 

The  flowers  were  blooming  around  us.  I  gathered  a  hand- 
ful as  a  memento  of  the  hour.  Preparations  were  rapidly 
going  on  for  the  approaching  struggle.  North,  west,  and 
southwest  the  whole  country  was  alive  with  Rebels,  —  long 
lines  of  men  deploying  in  various  directions,  tents  going  up, 
with  yellow  flags  above  them  on  the  distant  hills,  thousands  of 
canvas-covered  wagons,  slowly  winding  along  the  roads,  reach- 
ing as  far  as  the  eye  could  see  towards  Chambersburg,  Car- 
lisle, and  Fairfield,  —  turning  into  the  fields  and  taking  positions 
in  park.  There  were  batteries  of  artillery,  the  cannon  gleam- 
ing in  the  noonday  sun,  and  hundreds  of  horsemen  riding  in 
hot  haste  on  many  a  desperate  errand. 

While  partaking  of  our  refreshment.  General  Howard  nar 
rated  the  operations  of  the  preceding  day. 


1863."]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  269 


CHAPTER    XYIIl. 

THE    BATTLE    OF    GETTYSBURG. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  the  SOtli  of  June,  General  Reynoidt 
was  in  camp  on  Marsh  Run,  a  short  distance  from  Emmettsr- 
burg,  while  General  Howard,  with  the  Eleventh  Corps,  was  in 
that  town.  Instructions  were  received  from  General  Meade  as- 
signing General  Reynolds  to  the  command  of  the  First,  Eleventh, 
and  Third  Corps.  General  Reynolds  moved  early  in  the  morn 
ing  to  Gettysburg,  and  sent  orders  to  General  Howard  to  fol- 
low. General  Howard  received  the  orders  at  8  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  General  Barlow's  division  of  the  Eleventh  followed 
the  First  Corps  by  the  most  direct  road  while  General  Schurz's 
and  General  Steinwehr's  divisions  went  by  Horner's  Mills,  the 
distance  being  thirteen  miles.  General  Howard,  with  his  staff, 
pushed  on  in  advance  of  his  troops. 

Buford's  division  of  cavalry  passed  through  Gettysburg  on 
Tuesday  and  went  into  camp  a  mile  and  a  half  west  of  the  town 
on  the  Chambersburg  pike.  At  9.30  A.  M.  on  Wednesday,  the 
Rebels  of  A.  P.  Hill's  division  appeared  in  front  of  him,  and 
skirmishing  commenced  on  the  farm  of  Hon.  Edward  McPher- 
son.  General  Reynolds  rode  into  Gettysburg  about  10  o'clock 
in  advance  of  his  troops,  turned  up  the  Chambersburg  road, 
reconnoitred  the  position,  rode  back  again,  met  the  head  of 
his  column  a  mile  down  the  Emmettsburg  road,  turned  it  di- 
rectly across  the  fields,  towards  the  seminary,  and  deployed 
liis  divisions  across  the  Chambersburg  road.  General  Archer's 
f  rigade  of  Heth's  division  of  A.  P.  Hill's  corps  was  advancing 
eastward,  unaware  of  Reynolds's  movement.  He  had  passed 
Herr's  tavern,  two  miles  beyond  the  town,  when  he  found  liim- 
self  face  to  face  with  General  Meredith's  brigade  of  Reynolds'.' 
command.  The  fight  opened  at  once.  Archer  and  several  hun 
dred  of  his  men  were  captured.  General  Cutler,  pushing  oui 
from  the.  town  between  the  half-finished  railroad  and  the  Cham- 


270  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Julj, 

bersburg  road,  came  in  contact  with  Davis's  brigade  of  Missis- 
Bippians.  The  contest  increased.  General  Reynolds,  while 
riding  along  the  line,  was  killed  in  the  field  beyond  the  Sem- 
inary, and  the  command  devolved  on  General  Doubleday. 

General  Howard  heard  the  cannonade,  and  riding  rapidly  up 
ihe  Emmettsburg  road  entered  the  town,  sent  messengers  in 
icarch  of  General  Reynolds,  asking  for  instructions,  not  know- 
ng  that  he  had  been  killed. 

While  waiting  the  return  of  his  aids,  he  went  to  the  top  of 
tlie  college  to  reconnoitre  the  surrounding  country.  His  aid. 
Major  Biddle,  soon  came  back,  with  the  sad  intelligence  that 
General  Reynolds  had  fallen,  and  that  the  command  devolved 
on  himself. 

It  was  half  past  eleven.  The  Rebels  were  appearing  in  in- 
creased force.  The  prisoners  taken  said  that  the  whole  of  A. 
P.  Hill's  corps  was  near  by. 

"  You  will  have  your  hands  full  before  night.  Longstrcet  is 
near,  and  Ewell  is  coming,"  said  one,  boastingly. 

"  After  an  examination  of  the  general  features  of  the  coun- 
try," said  General  Howard,  "  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
only  tenable  position  for  my  limited  force  was  on  this  ridge.  I 
saw  that  this  was  the  highest  point.  You  will  notice  that  it 
commands  all  the  other  eminences.  My  artillery  can  sweep 
the  fields  completely." 

He  pointed  towards  the  north,  where  across  the  pike,  just 
beyond  the  gateway,  were  Colonel  Wainwright's  batteries  of  the 
First  Corps,  and  around  us  were  Colonel  Osborn's  of  the 
Eleventh.  Behind  us,  east  of  the  cemetery,  was  some  of 
the  reserve  artillery. 

The  head  of  tlie  Eleventli  Corps  reached  Gettysburg  about 
twelve  o'clock.  The  first  and  third  division  passed  through  the 
town,  moved  out  beyond  the  college,  and  joined  the  right  of 
the  First  Corps.  Howard  sent  three  batteries  and  his  second 
division,  Steinwehr's,  to  take  possession  of  the  cemetery  and 
the  hill  north  of  the  Baltimore  pike. 

Thus  far  success  had  attended  the  Union  arms.  A  largo 
number  of  prisoners  had  been  taken  with  but  little  loss,  and 
the  troops  were  holding  their  own  against  a  superior  force. 
About  half  past  twelve  cavalry  scouts  reported  that  Ewell  was 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF   GETTYSBURG.  271 

coming  down  the  York  road,  and  was  not  moro  than  four  miles 
distant.  General  Howard  sent  an  aid  to  General  Sickles,  who 
was  at  Emmettsburg,  requesting  him  to  come  on  with  all  haste. 
Another  was  sent  down  the  Baltimore  pike  to  the  Two  Tav- 
erns, three  miles  distant,  with  a  similar  message  to  General 
Slocum.  The  Second  Corps  was  there,  —  resting  in  the  fields. 
They  had  heard  the  roar  of  the  battle,  and  could  sec  the  clouds 
of  smoke  rising  over  the  intervening  hills.  General  Slocum 
was  the  senior  officer.  lie  received  the  message,  but  did  not, 
for  reasons  best  known  to  himself,  see  fit  to  accede  to  the  re- 
quest. Ho  could  have  put  the  Twelfth  Corps  upon  the  ground 
in  season  to  meet  Ewell,  but  remained  where  he  was  till  after 
the  contest  for  the  day  was  over. 

It  was  a  quarter  before  three  when  Ewell's  lines  began  to 
deploy  by  John  Blocher's  house  on  the  York  road.  The  Rebel 
batteries  were  wheeled  into  position,  and  opened  on  Wads- 
worth.  Weiderick's  battery  in  the  cemetery  replied.  Again 
a  messenorer  went  in  haste  to  the  delinquent  officer. 

"  I  sent  again  to  General  Slocum,  stating  that  my  riglit  flank 
was  attacked  ;  that  it  was  in  danger  of  being  turned,  and  ask 
ing  him  if  he  was  coming  up,"  said  General  Iloward. 

The  message  was  delivered  to  Slocum,  who  was  still  at  the 
Two  Taverns,  where  he  had  been  through  the  day.  Weider- 
ick's battery  was  in  plain  view  from  that  position,  but  Gen- 
eral Slocum  did  not  move. 

This  officer  on  Thursday  and  Friday  did  hard  service.  He 
afterward  commanded  acceptably  one  of  Sherman's  wings 
in  the  march  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea,  but  on  the  first  day  at 
Gettysburg  his  inaction,  unless  satisfactorily  explained,  will 
compel  the  impartial  historian  to  assign  him  a  lower  place 
on  the  scroll  of  fame  than  would  otherwise  have  been  ac- 
corded him. 

Sickles  was  too  far  olT  to  render  assistance.  Meanwhile 
Ewell  was  pressing  on  towards  the  college.  Another  division 
of  Rebels  under  General  Pender  came  in  from  the  southwest, 
and  began  to  enfold  the  left  of  Howard's  line. 

"  I  want  a  brigade  to  help  me !  "  was  the  word  from  Schun, 
commanding  the  two  divisions  in  front  of  Ewell,  beyond  the 
college. 


272  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [July, 

"  Send  out  Costa's  brigade,"  said  Howard  to  his  chief  of 
staff.  The  brigade  went  down  through  the  town  accompanied 
by  a  battery,  and  joined  the  line,  upon  the  double-quick.  An 
hour  passed,  oi  close,  desperate  fighting.  It  wanted  a  quarter 
to  four.  Howard  confronted  by  four  times  his  own  force,  wa8 
still  holding  his  ground,  waiting  for  Slocum.  Another  messen- 
ger rode  to  the  Two  Taverns,  urging  Slocum  to  advance. 

"  I  must  have  reinforcements ! "  was  the  message  from 
Doubleday  on  the  left.  "  You  must  reinforce  me !  "  was  the 
word  from  "Wadsworth  in  the  centre. 

"  Hold  out  a  little  longer,  if  possible  ;  I  am  expecting  Gen- 
eral Slocum  every  moment,"  was  Howard's  reply.  Still 
another  despatch  was  sent  to  the  Two  Taverns,  but  General  Slo- 
cum had  not  moved.  The  Rebel  cannon  were  cutting  Wads- 
worth's  line.  Pender  was  sweeping  round  Doubleday ;  Ewell 
was  enclosing  Schurz.  Sickles  was  five  miles  distant,  advan- 
cing as  fast  as  he  could.  Slocum  was  where  he  had  been  from 
early  morning,  three  miles  distant.  The  tide  was  turning. 
The  only  alternative  was  a  retreat.  It  was  past  four  o'clock. 
For  six  hours  the  ground  had  been  held  against  a  greatly  supe- 
rior force. 

Major  Howard,  the  General's  brother,  a  member  of  his  staff, 
dashed  down  the  pike  in  search  of  Slocum,  with  a  request  that 
he  would  move  at  once,  and  send  one  division  to  the  right  and 
the  other  to  the  left  of  Gettysburg.  Slocum  declined  to  go  up 
to  the  front  and  take  any  responsibility,  as  he  imderstood  that 
General  Meade  did  not  wish  to  bring  on  a  general  engagement. 
He  was  willing,  however,  to  send  forward  his  troops  as  General 
Howard  desired,  and  issued  his  orders  accordingly.  Under 
military  law  the  question  might  be  raised  whether  a  senior 
officer  had  a  riglit  to  throw  off  the  responsibility  wliich  circum- 
stances had  forced  upon  liim ;  also  whether  he  could  turn  over 
his  troops  to  a  subordinate. 

But  before  tile  divisions  of  the  Twelfth  Corps  could  get  in 
motion,  the  Rebels  had  completely  enfolded  both  flanks  of 
Howard's  line.  Tlic  order  to  retreat  was  given.  The  two  corps 
came  crowding  through  the  town.  The  Rebels  pressed  on  with 
cheers.  Moc^t  of  the  First  Corps  reached  the  cemetery  ridge,  and 
were  rallied  by  Howard,  Steinwehr,  and  Hancock.    This  officer 


THE    COLOR-BEARER. 


1863. J  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBUEG.  273 

had  just  arri  red.  The  troops  were  streaming  over  the  hill,  when 
he  reined  up  his  steed  in  tlie  cemetery.  lie  came,  under  direc- 
tion of  General  Meade,  to  take  charge  of  all  the  troops  in  front. 
The  Eleventh  Corps  was  hard  pressed,  and  lost  between  two  and 
three  tliousand  prisoners  in  the  town. 

Tlie  Rebels  of  Ewell's  command  pushed  up  the  northern  slope, 
through  the  hay-fields,  flushed  with  victory ;  but  Weidcrick's 
battery  poured  canister  in  quick  discharges  into  the  advancing 
ranks,  breaking  the  line. 

The  retreat  was  so  orderly  and  the  resistance  so  steady  that 
tlie  Rebels  gave  utterance  to  their  admiration.  Said  General 
Hill,— 

"  A  Yankee  color-bearer  floated  his  standard  in  the  field 
and  the  regiment  fought  around  it ;  and  when  at  last  it  was 
obliged  to  retreat,  the  color-bearer  retired  last  of  all,  turn- 
ing round  now  and  then  to  shake  his  fist  in  the  face  of  the 
advancing  Rebels.  lie  was  sorry  when  he  saw  him  meet  his 
doom."  * 

Three  color-bearers  of  the  Nineteenth  Indiana  were  shot. 
The  Sergeant-Major,  Asa  Blan chard,  ran  and  took  the  flag 
when  the  third  man  fell,  waved  it,  and  cried  "  Rally,  boys ! " 
The  next  moment  ho  fell.  His  comrades  stopped  to  carry  him 
off.     The  Rebels  ^vorc  close  at  hand. 

"  Don't  stop  for  me,"  he  cried.  "  Don't  let  them  have  the 
flag.  Tell  mother  I  never  faltered."  They  were  his  parting 
words  to  his  comrades,  who  saved  the  flag. 

General  Hancock  met  General  Howard  and  informed  him  of 
his  instructions,  saying,  "  General  Meade  undoubtedly  supposed 
that  I  was  your  senior,  but  you  outrank  me." 

"  It  is  no  time  to  talk  about  rank.  I  shall  most  cheerfully 
obey  your  instructions  and  do  all  in  my  power  to  co-operate 
with  you,"  was  Howard's  reply,  thus  waiving  the  command 
which  was  his  by  right.  They  perfectly  agreed  in  what  was  to 
be  done.  General  Howard  took  cliarge  of  the  troops  and  bat- 
teries on  the  right  of  the  line,  while  General  Hancock  brought 
order  out  of  confusion  on  the  left. 

The  Rebels  having  been  repulsed  by  the  batteries,  and  aatis- 


Licutcnant  ITrcemantle.  —  Blackwood's  Magazine,  September,  1863. 
18 


274  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Juljj 

ficd  with  the  work  of  the  day,  made  no  further  attack,  allhougb 
they  greatly  outnumbered  the  Union  force. 

General  Sickles  arrived  at  seven  o'clock,  and  General  Slocum 
also  came  up,  he  being  the  senior  officer,  General  Howard 
turned  over  the  command  to  him,  while  General  Hancock  went 
back  to  see  General  Meade  at  Taney  town,  to  inform  him  of  the 
state  of  affairs.  The  Third  Corps  filed  into  position  on  the  left 
of  the  First,  south  of  the  cemetery,  while  the  Twelfth  took 
possession  of  Gulp's  Hill. 

So  closed  the  first  day  at  Gettysburg. 

SECOND    DAY. 

TnuBSDAT,  July  2. 

General  Meade  arrived  on  the  battle-field  at  three  o'clock  on 
the  morning  of  the  2d,  and  had  an  interview  with  General 
Howard  soon  after  by  the  cemetery  gate.  They  rode  along  the 
lines  together. 

"  I  am  confident  that  we  can  hold  this  position,"  said  Gen- 
eral Howard. 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  so,  for  it  is  too  late  to  leave  it," 
Raid  Meade. 

The  cannonade  began  at  daybreak,  the  guns  in  the  cemetery 
and  those  of  the  Eebels  near  Blocher's  house  keeping  up  a 
steady  fire  for  an  hour,  when  both  parties,  as  if  by  muti'-il  con- 
sent, became  silent;  but  the  pickets  were  at  it  all  along  the 
lines. 

While  I  was  conversing  with  General  Howard,  his  brother, 
Major  Howard,  who  was  keeping  a  sharp  look  upon  the  Rebels, 
came  running  up.  "  There  is  a  splendid  chance  to  cut  them 
up.  General ;  just  see  them !  " 

A  column  of  Rebels  was  moving  along  the  Chambersburg 
road,  and  stood  out  in  bold  relief. 

"  Let  Osborn  pitch  in  the  shells  from  his  rifled  pieces,"  said 
the  Major. 

General  Howard  surveyed  them  a  moment  and  replied :  "  Wo 
might  do  them  some  damage,  but  we  are  not  quite  ready  to 
bring  on  a  general  engagement.  It  is  n't  best  to  hurry.  Wo 
ehall  have  enough  fighting  before  night." 

The  battle  had  not  commenced  in  earnest.     Leo  was  moving 


18G3.]  THE  BATTLE  OP  GETTYSBURG.  275 

his  troops  towards  the  left.  The  Union  pickets  were  posted 
along  the  Emmettsburg  road ;  some  were  lying  down  in  the 
wheat-fields  beyond  it,  keeping  up  a  steady  interchange  of 
shots  with  the  Rebels.  It  was  a  favorable  time  to  ride  over 
the  ground  where  the  great  contest  was  to  take  place. 

The  first  division,  General  Ames's,  of  the  Eleventh  Corps,  was 
north  of  the  Baltimore  pike,  the  third  division,  Schurz's,  was  on 
both  sides  of  it,  and  the  second  division,  Steinwehr's,  in  the 
cemetery,  lying  behind  the  stone  wall,  which  forms  its  western 
boundary.  Colonel  Osborn's  batteries  were  on  the  crest  of  the 
ridge,  in  position  to  fire  over  the  heads  of  the  infantry.  Rob- 
inson's division  of  the  First  Corps  was  posted  at  the  left  of 
Steinwehr's,  crossing  the  Taney  town  road.  Wadsworth's  and 
Doubleday's  divisions  of  the  First  were  north  of  the  Baltimore 
pike,  to  the  right  of  General  Ames,  reaching  to  Gulp's  Hill, 
where  they  joined  the  Twelfth  Corps. 

Riding  down  the  road  towards  Taneytown,  I  came  upon  Gen- 
eral Stannard's  brigade  of  nine  months'  Vermont  boys,  lying 
in  the  open  field  in  rear  of  the  cemetery.  Occasionally  a  shell 
came  over  them  from  the  Rebel  batteries,  by  Blocher's.  It  was 
their  first  experience  under  fire.  They  were  in  reserve,  know- 
ing nothing  of  what  was  going  on  the  other  side  of  the  hill,  yet 
tantalized  by  a  flank  fire  from  the  distant  batteries.  A  short 
distance  farther  I  came  to  General  Meade's  head-quarters,  in 
the  house  of  Mrs.  Leister.  General  Meade  was  there  sur- 
rounded by  his  staff,  consulting  maps  and  issuing  orders. 
General  Hancock's  head-quarters'  flag,  —  the  tree-foil  of  the 
Second  Corps, — was  waving  on  the  ridge  southwest  of  the 
house.  General  Slocum's,  —  the  star-flag,  —  was  in  sight,  on 
a  conical  hill  a  lialf-mile  eastward.  The  crescent  flag  of  the 
Eleventh  was  proudly  planted  on  the  highest  elevation  of  the 
cemetery.  The  Maltese  cross  of  the  Fifth  Corps  was  a  half- 
mile  south,  toward  Round-top. 

Turmng  into  the  field  and  riding  to  the  top  of  the  ridge,  I 
came  upon  Hayes's  division  of  the  Second  Corps,  joinmg  Rob- 
inson's of  the  First ;  then  Gibbons's  and  Caldwell's  of  the  Sec- 
ond, reaching  to  a  narrow  roadway  running  west  from  the 
Taneytown  road  to  the  house  of  Abraham  Trostle,  where,  a 
half-mile  in   advance  of  the  main  line,  was  planted    the  d: 


276  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  L*^uJy, 

amend  flag  of  the  Third  Corps,  General  Sickles.  Pushing 
directly  west,  tln-ough  a  field  where  the  grass  was  ripening  foi 
the  scythe,  I  approached  the  house  of  Mr.  Codori,  on  the 
Emmettsbnrg  road.  But  it  was  a  dangerous  place  just  then  to 
a  man  on  horseback,  for  the  pickets  of  both  armies  were  lying 
in  the  wheat-field  west  of  the  road.  General  Carr's  brigade 
of  the  Third  Corps  was  lying  behind  the  ridge  near  the  house 
of  Peter  Rogers.  Soldiers  were  fdling  their  canteens  from  tho 
brook  in  the  hollow.  Further  down  by  the  house  of  Mr.  Wentz, 
at  the  corner  of  the  narrow  road  leading  east  from  the  Emmetts- 
bnrg road,  and  in  the  peach-orchards  on  both  sides  of  it,  were 
troops  and  batteries.  The  Second  New  Hampshire,  the  First 
Maine,  and  the  Third  Michigan  were  there,  holding  the  angle 
of  the  line,  which  here  turned  east  from  the  Emmettsburg 
road.  Thompson's  battery  was  behind  Wentz's  house.  Gen- 
eral Sickles  had  his  other  batteries  in  position  along  the  nar- 
row road,  the  muzzles  of  the  guns  pointing  southwest.  Ames's 
New  York  battery  was  in  the  orchard,  and  the  gunners  were 
lying  beneath  the  peach-trees,  enjoying  the  leafy  shade. 
Clark's  New  Jersey  battery,  Phillips's  Fifth  Massachusetts, 
and  Bigclow's  Ninth  Massachusetts  were  on  the  left  of  Ames. 
Bigelow's  was  in  front  of  Trestle's  house,  having  complete 
command  and  the  full  sweep  of  a  beautiful  slope  beyond  tho 
road  for  sixty  rods. 

The  slope  descends  to  a  wooded  ravine  through  which  winds 
a  brook,  gurghng  over  a  rocky  bed.  Beyond  the  brook  are  tho 
stone  farm-house  and  capacious  barn  of  John  Rose,  in  whoso 
doer-yard  were  the  Union  pickets,  exchanging  a  shot  now  and 
then  with  the  Rebels  of  Longstrcet's  corps,  south  of  Rose's, 
who  were  lying  along  the  Emmettsburg  road. 

General  Barnes's  division  of  the  Third  Corps  was  m  the 
woods  south  of  the  narrow  road,  and  among  the  rocks  in  front 
of  Weed's  Hill. 

Sickles  had  advanced  to  the  position  upon  his  own  judgment 
of  the  fitness  of  the  movement.  He  believed  that  it  was  neces- 
sary to  hold  the  ravme,  down  to  Round-top,  to  prevent  the 
enemy  from  passing  through  the  gap  between  that  cminenco 
and  Weed's  Uill. 

General  Mcadc  had  called  his  corps  commanders  to  his  head 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  277 

quarters  for  consultation.  Sickles  did  not  attend,  deeming  it 
of  vital  importance  to  prepare  for  the  advance  of  the  enemy, 
and  his  soldiers  were  levelling  fences  and  removing  obstruc- 
tions. 

A  peremptory  order  reached  Sickles  requiring  his  presence. 
IJe  rode  to  the  head-quarters  of  the  army,  but  the  conference 
was  over,  and  he  went  back  to  his  command  followed  by  Gwi 
eral  Meade. 

"  Are  you  not  too  much  extended  ?  Can  you  hold  your  front  ?  " 
asked  the  Commander-in-Cliicf. 

"  Yes,  only  I  shall  want  more  troops." 

"  I  will  send  you  the  Fifth  Corps,  and  you  may  call  on  Ban- 
cocit  for  support." 

"  I  shall  need  more  artillery." 

"  Send  for  all  you  want.  Call  on  General  ETunt  of  the  Artil- 
lery Reserve.     I  will  direct  him  to  send  you  all  you  want." 

The  pickets  were  keeping  up  a  lively  fire. 

"  I  think  that  the  Rebels  will  soon  make  their  appearance," 
said  Sickles. 

A  moment  later  and  the  scattering  fire  became  a  volley. 
General  Meade  took  another  look  at  the  troops  in  position,  and 
galloped  back  to  his  head-quarters. 

General  Lee,  in  his  report,  has  given  an  outline  of  his  inten- 
tions.    He  says :  — 

"  It  had  not  been  intended  to  fight  a  general  battle  at  such  a  distance 
from  our  base,  unless  attacked  by  the  enemy ;  hut,  finding  ourselves 
unexpectedly  confronted  hy  the  Federal  army,  it  became  a  matter  of 
difliculty  to  withdraw  through  the  mountains  with  our  large  trains.  At 
the  same  time  the  country  was  unfavorable  for  collecting  supplies  while 
in  the  presence  of  the  enemy's  main  body,  as  he  was  enahled  to  restrain 
our  foraging  parties  by  occupying  the  passes  of  the  mountains  with 
regular  and  local  troops.  A  battle  thus  became,  in  a  measure,  unavoid- 
able. Encouraged  by  the  successful  issue  of  the  engagement  of  the 
first  day,  and  in  Tiew  of  the  valuable  results  that  would  ensue  from  the 
defeat  of  the  army  of  General  Meade,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  re- 
new the  attack. 

*'  The  remainder  of  Ewell's  and  Hill's  corps  having  arrived,  and  two 
divisions  of  Longstreet's,  our  preparations  were  made  accordingly 
During  the  afternoon  intelligence  was  received  of  the  arrival  of  Gen- 
eral Stuart  at  Carlisle,  and  he  was  ordered  to  march  to  Gettysburg, 


278  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [July, 

and  take  position  on  the  left.  A  full  account  of  these  engagements 
cannot  be  given  until  the  reports  of  the  several  commanding  officers 
shall  have  been  received,  and  I  shall  only  oflfer  a  general  description. 

"  The  preparations  for  attack  were  not  completed  until  the  afternoon 
of  the  2d. 

"  The  enemy  held  a  high  and  commanding  ridge,  along  which  he  had 
massed  a  large  amount  of  artillery.  General  Ewell  occupied  the  left 
of  our  line.  General  Hill  the  centre,  and  General  Longstreet  the  right. 
In  front  of  General  Longstreet  the  enemy  held  a  position  from  which, 
if  he  could  be  driven,  it  was  thought  that  our  army  could  be  used  to 
advantage  in  assailing  the  more  elevated  ground  beyond,  and  thus  en- 
able us  to  reach  the  crest  of  the  ridge.  That  officer  was  directed  to 
endeavor  to  carry  this  position,  while  General  Ewell  attacked  dii  rctly 
the  high  ground  on  the  enemy's  right,  which  had  already  been  partially 
fortified.  General  Hill  was  instructed  to  threaten  the  centre  of  the 
Federal  line,  in  order  to  prevent  reinforcements  being  sent  to  either 
wing,  and  to  avail  himself  of  any  opportunity  that  might  present  itself 
to  attack." 

Lee  had  been  all  day  perfecting  his  plans.  He  was  riding 
along  his  lines  at  sunrise,  reconnoitring  Meade's  position.  His 
head-quarters  were  near  the  Theological  Seminary,  where,  at 
five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  Lee,  Hill,  Longstreet,  Hood,  and 
Heth  were  engaged  in  conversation.  The  conference  lasted 
till  seven  o'clock,  when  Longstreet  rode  down  to  his  corps  to 
make  arrangements  for  the  attack.  Hood  had  the  extreme 
right,  and  McLaws  stood  next  in  line.  Pickett,  commanding 
his  other  division,  had  not  arrived.      It  was  to  be  held   in 


♦  The  accompanying  plan  of  the  battle-field  accurately  represents  the  general 
positions  of  the  troops  engaged.  On  the  right  of  the  Union  line  is  the  Twelfth 
Corps ;  then  two  divisions  of  the  First ;  then  the  Eleventh  in  and  around  the 
cemetery ;  then  Ilobinson's  division  of  the  First ;  then  the  Second  and  the  Fifth  on 
the  left,  occupying  Weed's  Ilill.  The  Third  Corps  is  in  the  position  it  occupied  at 
the  beginning  of  the  battle  on  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day.  It  was  forced  back 
to  Trostle's  house.  The  Sixth  Corps  is  in  the  position  it  occupied  at  sunset  on  the 
second  day.  On  the  third  day  it  was  in  line  along  Weed's  Hill.  When  Slocura 
went  over  from  the  right  to  aid  in  repulsing  Longstreet  on  the  second  day,  he 
passed  near  the  two  houses  standing  on  the  Taneytown  road.  Meade's  quarters 
were  in  the  h^/use  over  which  a  flag  is  flying. 

Longstreet  is  in  the  position  which  he  occupied  at  three  o'clock  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  second  day,  and  to  which  he  retired  after  failing  to  push  Sickles  beyond 
Trostle's. 

Pickett  commanded  a  division  and  not  a  corps    But  aa  his  division  took  the  lead 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  279 

Leo  choso,  as  his  first  point  of  attack,  tlio  position  occupied 
by  Sickles.  The  ground  by  Wentz's  house  is  highei  than  the 
ridge,  where  Hancock  had  established  his  head-quartei's.  K  he 
could  drive  Sickles  from  the  peach-orchard  by  turning  his  left 
flank,  and  gain  Weed's  Hill,  Meade  would  be  compelled  to  re- 
treat, and  the  nature  of  the  ground  was  such  in  rear  of  the 
cemetery  that  a  retreat  might  be  turned  into  a  complete  rout. 
Meade's  position  was  a  very  fair  one  for  defence,  but  one  from 
which  an  army  could  not  well  retire  before  a  victorious  enemy. 
The  trains  in  park  along  Rock  Creek  would  have  been  in  the 
way.  Baggage  trains  are  exceedingly  useful,  but  there  are 
times  when  commanders  do  not  know  what  to  do  with  them. 
A  battery  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  planted  on  the  ridge,  or 
in  the  cemetery,  if  those  places  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
Rebels,  would  have  produced  confusion  in  Meade's  rear  among 
the  teamsters,  who  are  not  always  cool  under  fire,  especially  if 
tliey  have  refractory  mules  to  manage.  General  Meade  would 
have  chosen  a  position  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  in  rear,  nearer 
to  his  base  of  supplies,  and  had  he  been  at  Gettysburg  on 
Wednesday  evening,  doubtless  would  have  ordered  a  retreat. 
The  question,  whether  to  fall  back  or  to  hold  the  position,  was 
seriously  debated.  But  Howard  had  made  the  stand.  He  be- 
lieved that  the  position  could  be  held,  and  Lee  defeated  there. 
He  did  not  calculate  for  a  defeat,  but  for  victory.  Had  Meade 
fallen  back,  Lee  would  have  been  wary  of  moving  on.  It  was 
not  his  intention,  he  says,  to  fight  a  general  battle  so  far  from 
his  base.    He  would  have  followed  cautiously,  if  at  all.  Through 

in  tho  last  attack,  on  the  third  day,  and  as  his  repulse  was  seemingly  the  turning- 
point  of  tho  Rebellion,  especial  mention  has  been  made  of  tho  part  taken  by  the 
troops  under  his  command.  Hill  supported  him.  A  portion  of  Hill's  troops  were 
with  Longstreet  in  the  attack  of  the  second  day. 

Ewell  is  in  the  position  he  occupied  at  dark  on  tho  second  day,  whilo  two  of  Slo- 
cum's  divisions  were  aiding  the  left  of  Meade's  line. 

Leo's  head-quarters  were  near  Smuckcr's  house. 

The  fight  on  the  first  day  began  on  Willoughby's  Run.  Tho  Union  lines  on  that 
day  extended  from  the  Middlctown  road  iilong  the  semicircle  occupied  by  the 
Rebel  cannon  in  the  diagram,  to  the  railroad  east  of  Blocher's.  The  map  is 
reduced  from  an  accurate  survey. 

Tho  best  plan  of  this  battle  extant  is  tho  isometrical  picture  of  Gettysburg,  hy 
Colonel  J.  B.  Batchelder,  who  has  devoted  many  months  to  the  study  of  the  field 
It  will  ever  be  standard  authority  for  the  historian. 


280  THE   BOYS    OF    '61  L^^^^Jf 

the  foresight,  faith,  and  courage  of  Iloward,  therefore,  Gettys- 
burg has  become  a  turning-point  in  history.  And  yet,  not  that 
alone,  for  the  warp  and  woof  of  history  arc  made  up  of  innu- 
merable threads.  The  Rebels,  on  that  afternoon  of  Thursday, 
as  they  moved  out  from  the  woods  into  the  fields  south  of  the 
house  of  John  Eose,  had  a  thorough  contempt  for  the  troops 
in  blue,  standing  beneath  the  peach-trees  in  Sherfy's  orchard, 
and  along  the  road  towards  Trestle's.  Big  Bethel,  Bull  Run, 
Richmond,  ^Manassas,  Fredericksburg,  Chanccllorsville,  Cedar 
Mountain,  Harper's  Ferry  they  remembered  as  victories ; 
and  even  Antietam  and  South  Mountain  were  called  drawn 
battles  by  the  Rebel  commander-in-chief.  They  liad  already 
achieved  one  victory  on  the  soil  of  Pennsylvania.  Five  thou 
sand  Yankees  had  been  captured.  The  troops  of  the  Confed- 
eracy were  invincible,  not  only  while  fighting  at  their  own 
doors,  but  as  invaders  of  the  North.  Such  was  the  feeling 
of  the  soldiers.  But  the  Rebel  officers  were  not  quite  so 
sanguine  of  success  as  the  men.  An  Englishman,  who  saw 
the  fight  from  the  Rebel  side,  says :  — 

*'  At  4.30  P.  IM.  (Wednesday)  we  came  in  sight  of  Gettysburg,  and 
joined  General  Lee  and  General  IIIU,  who  were  on  the  top  of  one  of 
the  ridges  which  form  the  peculiar  feature  of  the  country  round  Gettys- 
burg. We  could  see  the  enemy  retreating  up  one  of  the  opposite  ridges, 
pursued  by  the  Confederates  with  loud  yells. 

"  The  position  into  which  the  enemy  had  been  driven  was  evidently 
a  strong  one.  General  Hill  now  came  up,  and  told  mo  ho  had  been 
very  unwell  all  day,  and  in  fact  he  looks  very  delicate.  He  said  he 
had  two  of  his  divisions  engaged,  and  had  driven  the  enemy  four  miles 
into  his  present  position,  capturing  a  great  many  prisoners,  some  cannon, 
and  some  colors ;  he  said,  however,  that  the  Yankees  had  fought  with 
a  determination  unusual  to  them.  He  pointed  out  a  railway  cutting 
in  which  they  had  made  a  good  stand ;  also  a  field,  in  the  centre  of 
which  he  had  seen  a  man  plant  the  regimental  colors,  round  which  the 
regiment  had  fought  for  some  time  with  much  obstinacy ;  and  when  at 
hist  it  was  obliged  to  retreat,  the  color-bearer  retired  last  of  all,  turning 
found  every  now  and  then  to  shake  his  fist  at  the  advancing  Rebels. 
General  Hill  said  he  felt  quite  sorry  when  he  saw  this  gallant  Yankee 
meet  his  doom. 

"  General  Ewell  had  come  up  at  3.30  on  the  enemy's  right  and  com- 
pleted his  discomfiture. 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  281 

"  General  Reynolds,  one  of  the  best  Yankee  generals,  was  reported 
killed.  Whilst  we  were  talking,  a  message  arrived  from  General  Ewell, 
requesting  Hill  to  press  the  enemy  in  front,  whilst  he  performed  the 
same  operation  on  his  right.  The  pressure  was  accordingly  applied  in 
a  mild  degree,  but  the  enemy  were  too  strongly  posted,  and  it  was  too 
late  in  the  eveninoj  for  a  regular  attack."  * 

General  Hill  and  General  Lee  had  been  ©"^servant  of  the 
"  determination  unusual  to  the  Yankees."  The  "  pressure  " 
brought  upon  Howard  in  the  cemetery,  at  nightfall,  was  resisted 
by  men  who  had  suffered  defeat,  who  had  left  a  third  of  their 
comrades  dead  or  wounded  on  the  field,  or  as  prisoners  in  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  But  the  Rebel  rank-and-file,  remember- 
ing only  the  victories  they  had  already  won,  did  not  for  a 
moment  doubt  their  ability  to  win  another.  They  were  flushed 
with  the  enthusiasm  of  repeated  successes. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  soldiers  of  the  Union  believed,  with 
Howard,  Hancock,  Sickles,  and  other  officers,  that  they  could 
hold  the  position  against  the  assaults  of  Lee.  It  was  not  a 
calculation  of  advantages,  —  of  the  value  of  hills,  ravines, 
fields,  and  meadows,  —  or  of  numbers,  but  a  determination 
to  win  the  day  or  to  die  on  the  spot. 

Such  were  the  feelings  of  the  opposing  parties  on  that  sunny 
afternoon,  as  they  appeared  in  line  of  battle. 

The  Rebel  forces  moving  to  the  attack  south  of  Weiitz's 
were  wholly  under  Longstreet's  command.  Anderson's  divis- 
ion of  Hill's  corps  was  joined  to  McLaw's  and  Hood's,  to  form 
the  attacking  column.  The  Washington  Artillery  of  New 
Orleans  was  in  the  woods  southwest  of  Wentz's  house.  Barks- 
dale's  Mississippians  were  behind  artillery.  A  few  rods  west 
of  the  same  house,  on  a  narrow  road  leading  towards  Hagers- 
town,  is  the  residence  of  Mr.  Warfield.  A  third  of  a  mile 
north  of  Wentz's,  on  the  Emmettsburg  road,  is  the  house  of 
Philip  Snyder.  Between  Warfield's  and  Snyder's,  Longstreet 
planted  fifty  or  sixty  guns  to  bear  on  the  peach-orchard  and 
the  batteries  which  Sickles  had  stationed  along  the  road  lead- 
ing past  Trostle's,  and  upon  the  woods  east  of  the  house  of 
Mr.  Rose. 

Longstreet's  plan  was  to  attack  with  all  the  vigor  possible,  — 

*  Freemantle. 


282  THE  BOYS  OF  '61,  [July, 

to  bear  down  all  opposition  in  the  outset.  Commanders  fre- 
quently begin  an  engagement  by  feeling  of  the  enemy's  posi- 
tion, —  advancing  a  few  skirmishers,  a  regiment,  or  a  brigade ; 
but  in  this  instance  Longstreet  advanced  all  but  his  reserve. 

It  was  half  past  three.  Riding  rapidly  to  the  right  to  see  if 
there  were  signs  of  activity  in  that  direction,  dismounting  in 
rear  of  the  line,  and  tying  my  horse  to  a  tree,  I  took  a  look 
northward.  A  mile  to  the  north  Rebel  officers  were  in  view, 
galloping  furiously  over  the  fields,  disappearing  in  groves,  dash- 
ing down  the  road  to  the  town,  and  again  returning.  There 
was  a  battery  in  position  beyond  the  railroad,  and  as  I  looked 
narrowly  at  an  opening  between  two  groves,  I  saw  the  glis- 
tening of  bayonets,  and  a  line  as  if  a  column  of  men  were 
marching  east  toward  the  thick  forest  on  Rock  Creek.  It  was 
surmised  tliat  they  were  to  attack  our  right  upon  Culp's  Hill 
by  advancing  directly  down  Rock  Creek  through  the  woods. 
Prisoners  captured  said  that  Ewcll  had  sworn  a  terrible  oath 
to  turn  our  flank,  if  it  took  his  last  man.  To  guard  against 
such  a  movement,  Slocum  was  throwing  up  breastworks  from 
the  crest  of  the  hill  down  to  Rock  Creek.  Two  batteries 
were  placed  in  position  on  hillocks  south  of  the  turnpike,  to 
throw  shells  up  the  creek,  should  such  an  attempt  be  made. 
The  Union  Cavalry  in  long  lines  was  east  of  the  creek,  and 
the  Reserve  Artillery,  in  parks,  with  horses  harnessed,  was  in 
the  open  field  south  of  Slocum's  head-quarters. 

^  As  near  as  I  can  make  out,  the  Rebels  have  got  a  lino  of 
batteries  in  that  piece  of  woods,"  said  an  officer  who  had  been 
looking  steadily  across  the  ravine  to  Blocher's  Hill.  Laying 
my  glass  upon  the  breastwork,  I  could  see  the  guns  and  the 
artillerymen  beside  their  pieces,  as  if  ready  to  begin  the  action. 

Suddenly  there  came  the  roar  of  a  gun  from  the  south.  It 
was  Longstrcct's  signal.  Another,  another,  and  the  fire  ran 
from  Snyder's  to  the  Seminary,  then  round  to  Blocher's  Hill. 

I  was  at  the  moment  near  the  cemetery.  There  came  a  storm 
of  shot  and  shell.  Marble  slabs  were  broken,  iron  fences  shat- 
tered, horses  disembowelled.  The  air  was  full  of  wild,  hideous 
noises,  —  the  low  buzz  of  round  shot,  the  whizzing  of  elongated 
bolts,  and  the  stunning  explosions  of  shells,  overhead  and  all 
around. 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  288 

There  was  a  quick  response  from  the  Union  batteries.  In 
three  minutes  the  earth  shook  with  the  tremendous  concus- 
sion of  two  hundred  pieces  of  artillery. 

The  missiles  of  the  Rebels  came  from  the  northeast,  north, 
northwest,  west,  and  southwest.  The  position  occupied  by  the 
Vermont  nine  months'  men  was  one  of  great  exposure,  as  the 
ground  in  rear  of  the  cemetery  was  the  centre  of  a  converging 
fire. 

"  Lie  close,"  said  General  Stannard  to  the  men.  They  obeyed 
him,  but  he  walked  to  the  top  of  the  ridge  and  watched  the 
coming  on  of  the  storm  in  the  southwest. 

The  Fifth  Corps  had  not  moved  into  position,  but  was  resting 
after  the  sixteen  miles'  march  from  Hanover. 

The  Rebels  of  Longstreet's  command  first  in  sight  come  out 
from  the  woods  behind  Warfield's  house,  a  long  line  in  the  form 
of  a  crescent,  reaching  almost  to  Round-top.  Ames's  battery 
was  the  first  to  open  upon  them.  Thompson,  Clark,  and  Phil- 
lips began  to  thunder  almost  simultaneously.  Bigelow,  from 
his  position,  could  not  get  a  sight  at  them  till  two  or  three 
minutes  later.  The  Third  Michigan,  Second  New  Hampshire, 
and  Third  Maine  were  the  first  regiments  engaged.  The  fire 
ran  down  the  line  towards  Rose's  house.  The  regiments  in 
the  woods  along  the  ravine  south  of  the  house,  —  the  Seven- 
teenth Maine,  Third  Michigan,  and  others,  —  were  soon  in  the 
fight.  A  portion  of  the  Seventeenth  Maine  had  been  skirmish- 
ing all  the  morning. 

Ward's  brigade  on  the  rocky  ridge  in  front  of  Weed's  Hill 
was  assailed  by  Hood.  How  fearful  the  fight !  Sickles's  front 
line,  after  an  obstinate  struggle,  was  forced  back.  He  was 
obliged  to  withdraw  his  batteries  by  Wentz's  house.  Bigelow 
retired  firing  by  prologue,  over  the  rocky  ground.  The  contest 
in  the  peach-orchard  and  around  Rose's  house  was  exceed- 
ingly bloody.  Sickles  sent  his  aide  for  reinforcements:  "I 
want  batteries  and  men !  "  said  he. 

"  I  want  you  to  hold  on  where  you  are  until  I  can  get  a  line 
of  batteries  in  rear  of  you,"  said  Colonel  McGilvery,  com- 
manding the  artillery  of  the  Third  Corps,  to  Bigelow.  "  Give 
them  canister ! "  he  added  as  he  rode  away.  Bigelow's  men 
never  had  been  under  fire,  but  they  held  on  till  every  charge 


284  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [July, 

of  canister  was  spent,  and  then  commenced  on  spherical  case. 
Bigelow  was  just  west  of  Trostle's  barn.  A  Rebel  battery  has- 
tened up  and  unlimbered  in  the  field.  He  opened  with  all 
his  guns,  and  they  limbered  up  again.  Mc  Gil  very 's  batteries 
were  not  in  position,  and  the  gallant  captain  and  his  brave  men 
would  not  leave.  The  Rebels  rushed  upon  the  guns,  and 
were  blown  from  the  muzzles.  Others  came  with  demoniac 
yells,  climbing  upon  the  limbers  and  shooting  horses.  Sergeant 
Dodge  went  down,  killed  instantly;  also  Sergeant  Gilson.  Lip- 
man,  Ferris,  and  Nutting,  three  of  the  cannoneers,  were  gone, 
twenty-two  of  the  men  wounded,  and  Bigelow  shot  through 
the  side ;  also  four  men  missing,  yet  they  held  on  till  McGil- 
very  had  his  batteries  in  position  ! 

It  was  a  heroic  resistance.  Gun  after  gun  was  abandoned 
to  the  advancing  Rebels.  But  the  cannoneers  were  thoughtful 
to  retain  the  rammers,  and  though  the  Rebels  seized  the  pieces 
they  could  not  turn  them  upon  the  slowly-retreating  handful 
of  men,  who  with  two  pieces  still  growled  defiance.  Back  to 
Trostle's  door-yard,  into  the  garden,  halting  by  the  barn,  deliv- 
ering a  steady  fire,  they  held  the  enemy  at  bay  till  the  batteries 
of  the  Fifth  Corps,  a  little  east  of  Trostle's,  and  the  arrival  of 
reinforcements  of  infantry,  permitted  their  withdrawal.  More 
than  sixty  horses  belonging  to  this  one  battery  were  killed  in 
this  brief  struggle  at  the  commencement  of  the  battle.  With 
the  seizure  of  each  piece  the  Rebels  cheered,  and  advanced 
with  confident  expectation  of  driving  Sickles  over  the  ridge. 

But  new  actors  came.  Barnes's  division  of  the  Fifth  went 
down  through  Trostle's  garden  and  through  the  grove  south  of 
the  house,  crossed  the  road,  and  entered  the  woods.  The  Rebels 
were  in  the  ravine  by  Rose's  house.  Winslow's  New  York 
battery  was  in  a  wheat-field  south  of  Trostle's,  holding  them 
in  check,  while  Hazlitt's  battery  on  Weed's  Hill  rained  a  tor- 
rent of  shells  from  its  rocky  fortress. 

Ayer's  division  of  Regulars,  which  had  been  lying  east  of 
Weed's  Hill,  moved  upon  the  double-quick  through  the  woods, 
up  to  the  summit.  The  whole  scene  was  before  them  :  the  tur- 
moil and  commotion  in  the  woods  below,  —  Barnes  going  in 
and  the  shattered  regiments  of  the  Third  Corps  coming  out. 
Some  batteries  were  in  retreat  and  others  were  taking  novs 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  286 

positions.  They  dashed  down  the  hillside,  became  a  little  dis- 
organized in  crossing  Plum  Run,  but  formed  again  and  went 
up  the  ridge  among  the  boulders,  disappeared  in  the  woods, 
stayed  a  few  minutes,  and  then,  like  a  shattered  wreck  upon 
the  foaming  sea,  came  drifting  to  the  rear. 

After  the  battle,  an  officer  of  the  Seventeenth  Regulars 
pointed  out  to  me  the  line  of  advance. 

"  We  went  down  the  hill  upon  the  run,"  said  he.  "It  was 
like  going  down  into  hell !  The  Rebels  were  yelling  like  devils. 
Our  men  were  falling  back.  It  was  terrible  confusion  :  smoke, 
dust,  the  rattle  of  musketry,  the  roaring  of  cannon,  the  burst- 
ing of  shells." 

The  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  under  Crawford,  went  in.  They 
were  fighting  on  their  own  soil.  Among  them  were  soldiers 
wnose  homes  were  in  Gettysburg. 

Sickles  called  upon  Hancock  for  help.  Caldwell's  division 
went  down,  sweeping  past  Trestle's  into  the  wheat-field,  dash- 
ing through  Barnes's  men,  who  were  falling  back.  Regiments 
from  three  corps  and  from  eight  or  ten  brigades  were  fighting 
promiscuously.  The  Rebel  lines  were  also  in  confusion, — 
advancing,  retreating,  gaining,  and  losing. 

It  was  like  the  writhing  of  two  wrestlers.  Seventy  thousand 
men  were  contending  for  the  mastery  on  a  territory  scarcely 
a  mile  square  !  It  has  been  called  the  battle  of  Little  Round- 
top,  but  most  of  the  fighting  at  this  point  took  place  between 
Little  Round-top  on  Weed's  Hill  and  the  house  of  Mr.  Rose. 
But  there  was  also  a  contest  around  and  upon  the  hill. 

The  advance  of  Hood  enveloped  the  Union  force  below.  The 
men  on  Hood's  extreme  right  skirted  the  base  of  the  hill,  clam- 
bered over  the  rocks  by  the  "  Devil's  Den,"  —  a  rocky  gorge,  — 
and  began  to  pour  into  the  gap  between  Weed's  and  Round-top. 
Vincent's  and  Weed's  brigades  were  holding  the  hill.  The 
Twentieth  Maine,  Colonel  Chamberlain,  was  on  the  extreme 
loft.  The  Eighty -Third  Pennsylvania,  Forty-Fourth  New 
York,  and  Sixteenth  Michigan  were  farther  north.  The  Twen- 
tieth Maine  stood  almost  alone.  There  began  to  be  a  dropping 
of  bullets  along  the  lino  from  the  Rebel  skirmishers  creeping 
into  the  gap,  and  Colonel  Chamberlain  saw  the  enemy  moving 
past  his  flank.     Ho  immediately  extended  his  own  left  flank. 


286  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [July, 

by  forming  his  meu  in  single  rank.  The  fight  was  fierce.  The 
Rebels  greatly  outnumbered  Chamberlain,  but  he  had  the  ad- 
vantage of  position.  He  was  on  the  crest  of  the  hill,  and  at 
every  lull  in  the  strife  his  men  piled  the  loose  stones  into  a  rude 
breastwork.  He  sent  for  assistance,  but  before  the  arrival  of 
reinforcements  Hood's  troops  had  gained  the  eastern  side  of 
the  hill,  and  the  Twentieth  Maine  stood  in  the  form  of  the 
letter  U,  with  Rebels  in  front,  on  their  flank,  and  in  rear. 

It  was  nearly  six  o'clock.  I  was  at  Meade's  head-quarters. 
The  roar  of  battle  was  louder  and  grew  nearer.  Hill  was  threat- 
ening the  centre.  A  cloud  of  dust  could  be  seen  down  the 
Baltimore  pike.  Had  Stuart  suddenly  gained  our  rear  ?  There 
were  anxious  countenances  around  the  cottage  where  the  flag 
of  the  Commander-in-Chief  was  flying.  Officers  gazed  with 
their  field-glasses.  "  It  is  not  cavalry,  but  infantry,"  said  one. 
"There  is  the  flag.     It  is  the  Sixth  Corps." 

We  could  see  the  advancing  bayonets  gleaming  in  the  setting 
sun.  Faces  which  a  moment  before  were  grave  became  cheer- 
ful. It  was  an  inspiring  sight.  The  troops  of  that  corps  had 
marched  thirty-two  miles  during  the  day.  They  crossed  Rock 
Creek,  filed  into  the  field,  past  the  ammunition  train,  threw 
themselves  upon  the  ground,  tossed  aside  their  knapsacks,  and 
wiped  the  sweat  from  their  sun-burnt  cheeks. 

"  We  want  reinforcements.  They  are  flanking  us,"  said  an 
officer,  riding  up  to  Meade.  Word  was  sent  to  Slocum,  and 
Williams's  division  of  the  Twelfth  left  their  breastwork  on 
Culp's  Hill,  came  down  upon  the  double-quick,  leaping  the 
stone  walls  between  Slocum' s  head-quarters  and  the  cemetery, 
and  moved  into  the  field  west  of  the  Taneytown  road. 

Stannard's  brigade  was  attached  to  the  First  Corps,  com 
manded  by  Doubleday.  The  Vermont  boys  had  been  lying  on 
their  faces  through  the  long,  tormenting  hours.  They  were 
ready  for  desperate  work.  Doubleday  dashed  down  to  General 
Stannard.  There  is  a  strong  contrast  between  these  two  offi- 
cers. Doubleday  is  tall,  broad-shouldered,  a  little  stooping. 
He  was  in  Sumter  with  Anderson  when  the  Rebels  fired  the 
first  gun  at  the  old  flag.  He  is  cool  and  courageous.  Stan 
nard  is  short,  straight,  compactly  built.  He  was  a  private  citi- 
zen at  St.  Albans,  Vermont,  wlien  the  war  began.  He  is  a 
thorough  citizen-soldier,  as  undaunted  as  his  superior. 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  287 

"  You  are  wanted  over  there.  Report  to  Hancock,"  said 
Doubleday. 

The  men  of  Vermont  sprang  to  their  feet,  and  went  up  the 
ridge  toward  the  southwest  upon  the  run.  At  the  same  time 
an  officer  rode  down  to  the  Sixth  Corps.  I  saw  the  tired  and 
weary  men  rise  from  the  ground  and  fall  into  line.  They  also 
moved  off  upon  the  run  toward  Weed's  Hill,  which  was  all 
ftflame.  Hazlitt  was  firing  canister  from  the  top.  Nearly  all 
the  Third,  Fifth,  and  Second  Corps  batteries  were  at  work. 
The  sun  was  just  setting.  Sickles  had  been  forced  back  from 
the  peach-orchard,  and  from  Rose's  house,  but  he  was  still  hold- 
ing Trestle's.  The  dark  lines  of  the  Sixth  Corps  became  lost  to 
sight,  as  they  moved  into  the  woods  crowning  the  hill.  There 
were  quicker  volleys,  a  lighting  up  of  the  sky  by  sudden  flashes, 
followed  by  a  cheer,  —  not  the  wild  yell  peculiar  to  the  Rebels, 
but  a  sharp,  clear  hurrah,  from  the  men  who  had  held  the  hill. 
Longstreet  was  giving  up  the  struggle,  and  his  men  were  falling 
back.  Colonel  Randall,  with  five  companies  of  the  Thirteenth 
Vermont,  led  the  advance  of  General  Stannard's  column. 
Hancock  had  been  forced  to  leave  the  guns  of  one  of  his  bat- 
eries  on  the  field  near  Codori's  house. 

The  Rebel  sharpshooters  were  lying  along  the  Emmettsburg 
road,  pouring  in  a  deadly  fire,  under  cover  of  which  a  large 
body  of  Rebels  was  advancing  to  take  possession  of  the  pieces. 

"  Can  you  retake  that  battery  ? "  was  Hancock's  question 
to  Randall. 

"  We  '11  do  it  or  die,  sir !  " 

"  Then  go  in." 

"  Forward !  "  said  Randall,  turning  in  his  saddle  and  waving 
his  sword.  His  men  gave  a  cheer,  and  broke  into  a  run.  The 
Colonel's  horse  fell,  shot  through  the  shoulder,  but  the  Colonel 
dashed  ahead  on  foot.  They  reached  the  guns,  drew  them  to 
the  rear.  The  Rebels  came  on  with  a  rush.  But  help  was  at 
hand,  —  the  Fourteenth  Maine  joined  the  Vermonters.  Leav- 
ing the  guns  the  soldiers  faced  about,  charged  upon  the  Reb- 
els, captured  eighty-three  prisoners,  and  two  Rebel  cannon, 
and  then  returned  !  Long  and  loud  were  the  cheers  that 
greeted  them. 

"  You  must  bo  green,  or  you  would  n't  have  gone  down 


288  THE   BOYS   OF   '61  [July, 

there,"  said  a  Pennsylvaniaii,  who  had  been  m  a  dozen  battles. 
The  blood  of  the  Vermont  boys  was  up,  and  they  had  not  cal- 
culated the  consequences  of  such  a  movement. 

So  closed  the  day  on  the  left.  But  just  as  the  contest  was 
coming  to  an  end  around  Weed's  Hill,  it  suddenly  commenced 
on  the  north  side  of  the  cemetery.  Hayes's  brigade  of  Louis- 
iana Tigers,  and  Hoke's  North  Carolinians,  belonging  to 
Early's  division  of  Ewell's  corps,  had  been  creeping  across 
Spangler's  farm,  up  the  northern  slope  of  the  cemetery  hill. 
Suddenly,  with  a  shout  they  sprang  upon  Barlow's  division, 
commanded  by  Ames.  It  was  a  short,  fierce,  but  decisive  con- 
test. The  attack  was  sudden,  but  the  men  of  Ames's  com- 
mand were  fully  prepared.  There  was  a  struggle  over  the 
guns  of  two  Pennsylvania  batteries.  The  Fifth  Maine  battery 
was  in  an  exceedingly  favorable  position,  at  an  angle  of  the 
earthworks,  east  of  the  hill,  and  cut  down  the  Rebels  with  a 
destructive  enfilading  fire.  The  struggle  lasted  scarcely  five 
minutes,  —  the  Rebels  retreating  in  confusion  to  the  town. 

When  Slocum  went  with  Williams  to  the  left  there  were  no 
mdications  of  an  attack  on  Gulp's  Hill,  but  unexpectedly 
Ewell  made  his  appearance  in  the  woods  along  Rock  Creek. 
General  Green,  who  had  been  left  in  command,  extended  his 
line  east  and  made  a  gallant  fight,  but  not  having  men  enough 
to  occupy  all  the  ground,  Ewell  was  able  to  take  possession 
of  the  hollow  along  the  Creek.  When  Williams  returned,  he 
found  his  entrenchments  in  possession  of  the  enemy.  The 
men  of  the  Twelfth  threw  themselves  on  the  ground  in  the 
fields  on  both  sides  of  the  Baltimore  pike,  for  rest  till  day- 
break. 

"  We  are  doing  well,"  was  Longstreet's  report  to  Lee  at 
seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  from  the  left.*  Ewell  himself 
rode  down  through  the  town,  to  report  his  success  on  the  right. 

At  a  later  hour  Longstreet  reported  that  he  had  carried 
everything  before  him  for  some  time,  capturing  several  batter- 
ies, and  driving  the  Yankees ;  but  when  Hill's  Florida  brigade 
and  some  other  troops  gave  way,  he  was  forced  to  abandon  a 
small  portion  of  the  ground  he  had  won,  together  with  all  the 
captured  guns  except  three. 

*  Blackwood's  Mafrazine,  September,  1863. 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  289 

It  was  late  in  tlie  evening  when  I  threw  myself  upon  a  pile 
of  straw  in  an  old  farm-house,  near  the  Baltimore  pike,  for  a 
few  hours'  rest,  expecting  that  with  the  early  morning  there 
would  be  a  renewal  of  the  battle. 

There  was  the  constant  rumble  of  artillery  moving  into  po- 
sition, of  ammunition  and  supply  wagons  going  up  to  the 
troops.  Lights  were  gleaming  in  the  hollows,  beneath  the 
shade  of  oaks  and  pines,  where  the  surgeons  were  at  work, 
and  where,  through  the  dreary  hours  wailings  and  meanings 
rent  the  air  ;  yet  though  within  musket-shot  of  the  enemy,  and 
surrounded  with  dying  and  dead,  I  found  refreshing  sleep. 

THIRD    DAY. 

Friday,  July  3. 

Boom !  boom !  Two  guns,  dec[>  and  heavy,  at  four  o'clock. 
It  was  a  sultry  morning.  The  clouds  hung  low  upon  the  hills. 
Two  more !  and  then  more  rapidly  than  the  tick  of  a  pendu- 
lum came  the  concussions.  There  were  flashes  from  all  the 
hills,  —  flashes  in  the  woods  along  Rock  Creek.  The  cemetery 
was  aflame.  The  door  which  had  been  opened  against  Slocum 
was  to  be  closed,  and  this  was  the  begi^ining  of  the  effort. 

The  cannonade  broke  the  stillness  of  the  morning,  and 
drowned  all  other  sounds.  Riding  up  the  turnpike  to  the  bat- 
teries, I  had  a  good  view  of  the  battle-ground.  General  Sickles 
was  being  carried  to  the  rear  on  a  stretcher.  He  had  suffered 
amputation.  Following  him  was  a  large  number  of  prisoners; 
taken  in  the  fight  upon  the  left.  Some  were  haggard  and  care- 
worn, —  others  indifferent,  or  sulky,  and  some  very  jolly.  "  I 
have  got  into  the  Union  after  hard  fighting,"  said  one,  "  and 
I  intend  to  stay  there." 

There  were  a  few  musket-shots  in  the  woods  upon  the  hill, 
from  the  pickets  in  advance.  Slocum  was  preparing  to  regain 
what  had  been  lost.  It  was  seven  o'clock  before  he  was  ready 
to  move.  The  men  moved  slowly,  but  determinedly.  The 
Rebels  were  in  the  rifle-pits,  and  opened  a  furious  fire.  A  thin 
veil  of  smoke  rose  above  the  trees,  and  floated  away  before  the 
morning  breeze.  Rapid  the  fire  of  musketry,  —  terrific  the 
cannonade.  Ewell  was  determined  not  to  be  driven  back.  Ho 
held  on  with  dogircd  pertinacity.     He  had  sworn  profanely  to 


290  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  L«^Uly, 

hold  tho  position,  but  in  vain  his  effort.  The  rifle-pits  wore 
regained,  and  ho  was  driven,  inch  by  inch,  up  Rock  Creek. 

It  took  four  hours  to  do  it,  however.  Ewell,  well  knowing 
the  importance  of  holding  the  position,  brought  in  all  of  his 
available  force.  Johnson's,  Rhodes's,  and  Early's  divisions, 
all  were  engaged.  To  meet  these  General  Shaler's  brigade  of 
the  Sixth  Corps  was  brought  up  to  Culp's  Hill,  while  Neil's 
brigade  of  the  same  corps  was  thrown  in  upon  Early's  flank 
east  of  Rock  Creek,  and  the  work  was  accomplished.  The  men 
fought  from  behind  trees  and  rocks,  with  great  tenacity.  It 
was  the  last  attempt  of  Lee  upon  Meade's  right. 

Gregg's  and  Kolpatrick's  divisions  of  cavalry  were  east  of 
Rock  Creek.  An  orderly  came  dashing  down  the  Hanover 
road. 

"  Stuart  is  coming  round  on  our  right !  "  said  he.  "  General 
Pleasanton  sends  his  compliments  to  General  Gregg,  desiring 
him  to  go  out  immediately  and  hold  Stuart  in  check.  His 
compliments  also  to  General  Kilpatrick,  desiring  him  to  go 
down  beyond  Round-top,  and  pitch  in  with  all  his  might  on 
Longstreet's  left." 

I  was  conversing  with  the  two  officers  at  the  time. 

"  Good !  come  on,  boys !  "  shouted  Kilpatrick,  rubbing  his 
hands  with  pleasure.  The  notes  of  the  bugle  rang  loud  and 
clear  above  the  rumble  of  the  passing  army  wagons,  and  Kil- 
patrick's  column  swept  down  the  hill,  crossed  the  creek,  and 
disappeared  beyond  Round-top.  A  half-hour  later  I  saw  the 
smoke  of  his  artillery,  and  heard  the  wild  shout  of  his  men 
as  they  dashed  recklessly  upon  the  Rebel  lines.  It  was  the 
charge  in  which  General  Farnsworth  and  a  score  of  gallant 
officers  gave  up  their  lives. 

General  Gregg's  division  formed  in  the  fields  east  of  Wolf 
Hill.  Stuart  had  already  extended  his  line  along  the  Bon- 
noughtown  road.  There  was  a  brisk  cannonade  between  the 
light  batteries,  and  Stuart  retired,  without  attempting  to  cut 
out  the  ammunition  trains  parked  along  the  pike. 

Through  the  forenoon  it  was  evident  that  Lee  was  prepar- 
mg  for  another  attack.  He  had  reconnoitred  the  ground  with 
Longstreet  in  the  morning,  and  decided  to  assault  Meade's  line 
between  the  cemetery  and  Weed's  Hill  with  a  strong  force. 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  291 

He  could  form  the  attacking  column  out  of  sight,  in  the  woods 
west  of  Codori's  house.  In  advancing  the  troops  would  be 
sheltered  till  they  reached  the  Emmettsburg  road.  Howard's 
guns  in  the  cemetery  would  trouble  them  most  by  enfilading 
the  lines.  Howard  must  be  silenced  by  a  concentrated  artil- 
lery fire.  The  cemetery  could  be  seen  from  every  part  of  the 
hne  occupied  by  the  Rebels,  and  all  the  available  batteries  were 
brought  into  position  to  play  upon  it,  and  upon  the  position 
occupied  by  the  Second  Corps. 

The  arrangements  were  intrusted  to  Longstreet.  He  select- 
ed Pickett's,  Pender's,  Heth's,  and  Anderson's  divisions.  Pick- 
ett's were  fresh  troops.  Heth  had  been  wounded,  and  Pettigrew 
was  in  command  of  the  division.  Wilcox's  and  Perry's  brigades 
of  Anderson's  division  had  the  right  of  the  first  Rebel  line. 
Pickett's  division  occupied  the  centre  of  the  first  line,  followed 
by  Pender's.  Heth's  division,  followed  by  Wright's  brigade 
of  Anderson's,  had  the  left  of  the  line. 

Wilcox  and  Perry's  line  of  advance  was  past  Klingel's  house. 
Pickett's  right  swept  across  the  Emmettsburg  road  by  the  house 
of  Peter  Rogers ;  his  left  reached  to  Codori's,  where  it  joined 
Pettigrew's.  Rhodes's  division  of  Ewell's  corps  was  brought 
down  from  the  woods  by  Smucker's  house,  and  put  in  position 
south  of  the  town,  to  support  Pettigrew's  left.  The  attack- 
ing column  numbered  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  thousand 
men,  but  the  force  in  support  gave  nearly  thirty-five  thou- 
sand men  which  Longstreet  had  in  hand. 

The  movements  of  the  Rebels,  as  seen  from  the  Union  lines, 
indicated  an  attack  upon  our  extreme  left.  The  Fifth,  Third, 
and  Sixth  Corps  therefore  were  placed  well  down  toward 
Round-top. 

Commencing  at  the  Taney  town  road  and  walking  south,  wo 
have  the  following  disposition  of  the  troops  resisting  this  attack. 
Robinson's  division  of  the  First  Corps,  reaching  from  the  road 
along  an  oak  grove,  past  a  small  house  occupied  by  a  colored 
man.  Hays's  division  lay  behind  a  stone  wall,  and  a  small 
grove  of  shrub-oaks.  Gibbon  had  no  protection  except  a  few 
rails  gathered  from  the  fences.  There  are  three  oak-trees 
which  mark  the  spot  occupied  by  Hall's  brigade.  Harrow's 
was  just  beyond  it,  south.     In  front  of  Barrow's,  six  or  eight 


292  THE   BOYS   OF   'Gl.  [July, 

rods,  were  three  regiments  of  Stannard's  Vermont  brigade,  — 
the  Thirteenth,  Fourteenth,  and  Sixteenth,  —  lying  in  a  shallow 
trench.  Caldwell's  division  extended  from  Gibbon's  to  the  nar- 
row road  leading  past  Trostle's  house.  The  ridge  in  rear  of 
tlie  troops  bristled  with  artillery.  The  infantry  line  was  thin, 
but  the  artillery  was  compact  and  powerful. 

Longstreet  having  made  his  disposition  for  the  attack,  and 
the  Rebel  artillery  not  being  ready,  threw  himself  on  the 
ground  and  went  to  sleep.* 

Lee  reconnoitred  the  position  from  the  cupola  of  the  college, 
over  which  the  Confederate  hospital-flag  was  flying,  —  thus 
violating  what  has  been  deemed  even  by  half-civilized  races  a 
principle  of  honor. 

Visiting  General  Meade's  head-quarters  in  the  house  of  Mrs. 
Leister,  in  the  forenoon,  I  saw  the  Commander-in-Chief  seated 
at  a  table  with  a  map  of  Gettysburg  spread  out  before  him. 
General  Warren,  chief  engineer,  was  by  his  side.  General 
Williams,  his  Adjutant-General,  who  knew  the  strength  of 
every  regiment,  was  sitting  on  the  bed,  ready  to  answer  any 
question.  General  Hunt,  chief  of  artillery,  was  lying  on  the 
grass  beneath  a  peach-tree  in  the  yard.  General  Pleasantou, 
chief  of  the  cavalry,  neat  and  trim  in  dress  and  person,  with 
a  riding-whip  tucked  into  his  cavalry  boots,  was  walking  unea- 
sily about.  Aids  were  coming  and  going ;  a  signal-officer  in 
the  yard  was  waving  his  flags  in  response  to  one  on  Round-top. 

"  Signal-officer  on  Round-top  reports  Rebels  moving  towards 
our  left,"  said  the  officer  to  General  Meade. 

It  was  five  minutes  past  one  when  the  signal-gun  for  the 
opening  of  the  battle  was  given  by  the  Rebels  on  Seminary 
Hill.  Instantly  the  whole  line  of  Rebel  batteries,  an  hundred 
and  fifty  guns,  joined  in  the  cannonade.  All  of  the  guns  north- 
east, north,  and  northwest  of  the  town  concentrated  their  fire 
upon  the  cemetery.  Those  west  and  southwest  opened  on 
Hancock's  position.  Solid  shot  and  shells  poured  incessantly 
upon  the  cemetery  and  along  the  ridge.  The  intention  of 
Lee  was  soon  understood,  —  to  silence  Howard's  batteries  be- 
cause they  enfiladed  the  attacking  force  ready  to  move  over 

♦Blackwood's  Magazine,  September,  1864.  —  Freeinantle. 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBUKG.  298 

the  fields  toward  the  centre,  our  weakest  point.  If  they  could 
give  to  the  living  who  held  the  burial-place  a  quiet  as  pra 
found  as  that  of  the  sleepers  beneath  the  ground,  then  they 
might  hope  to  break  through  the  thin  line  of  men  composing 
the  Second  Corps. 

But  Howard  was  not  a  man  to  be  kept  quiet  at  such  a  time 
without  especial  cause.  His  horses  were  knocked  to  pieces, 
the  tombstones  shivered,  iron  railings  torn,  shrubs  and  trees 
cut  down,  here  and  there  men  killed,  but  his  batteries  were 
not  silenced. 

Mr.  Wilkenson  of  the  New  York  Tribune,  who  was  at  Gen- 
eral Meade's  head-quarters  when  the  fire  was  severest,  thus 
describes  the  scene :  — 

"  In  the  shadow  cast  by  the  tiny  farm-house,  sixteen  by  twenty,  which 
General  Meade  had  made  his  head-quarters,  lay  wearied  staff  officers 
and  tired  correspondents.  There  was  not  wanting  to  the  peacefulness 
of  the  scene  the  singing  of  a  bird,  which  had  a  nest  in  a  peach-tree 
within  the  tiny  yard  of  the  whitewashed  cottage.  In  the  midst  of  its 
warbling  a  shell  screamed  over  the  house,  instantly  followed  by  another, 
and  another,  and  in  a  moment  the  air  was  full  of  the  most  complete 
artillery-prelude  to  an  infantry  battle  that  was  ever  exhibited.  Every 
size  and  form  of  shell  known  to  British  and  to  American  gunnery 
shrieked,  whirled,  moaned,  and  whistled,  and  wrathfully  fluttered  over 
our  ground.  As  many  as  six  in  a  second,  constantly  two  in  a  second, 
bursting  and  screaming  over  and  around  the  head-quarters,  made  a 
very  hell  of  fire  that  amazed  the  oldest  officers.  They  burst  in  the 
yard,  —  burst  next  to  the  fence  on  both  sides,  garnished  as  usual  with 
the  hitched  horses  of  aides  and  orderlies.  The  fastened  animals  reared 
and  plunged  with  terror.  Then  one  fell,  then  another,  —  sixteen  lay 
dead  and  mangled  before  the  fire  ceased,  still  fastened  by  their  halters, 
which  gave  the  expr^s^^ion  of  being  wickedly  tied  up  to  die  painfully 
These  brute  victims  of  u  cruel  war  touched  all  hearts.  Through  the 
midst  of  the  storm  of  sci*eamini]^  and  exploding  shells  an  ambulance, 
driven  by  its  frenzied  conductor  at  lull  speed,  presented  to  all  ol'  us  the 
marvellous  spectacle  of  a  horse  going  rapidly  on  three  legs.  A  iiinder 
one  had  been  shot  off  at  the  hock.  A  shell  tore  up  tiie  little  step  at 
the  head-quarters  cottage,  and  ripped  bags  of  oats  as  with  a  knife. 
Another  soon  carried  off  one  of  its  two  pillar-s.  Soon  a  spherical  case 
l)urst  opposite  the  open  door,  —  another  ripped  tlirough  the  low  garret. 
The  remaining  pillar  went  almost  immediately  to  the  howl  of  a  fixed 
shot  tliat  Whiiworlh  must  have  made.      During  this  fire,  the  horses  al 


294  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [July, 

twenty  and  thirty  feet  distant  were  receiving  their  death,  and  soldiera 
in  Federal  blue  were  torn  to  pieces  in  the  road,  and  died  with  the 
peculiar  yells  that  blend  the  extorted  cry  of  pain  with  horror  and  de- 
spair. Not  an  orderly,  not  an  ambulance,  not  a  straggler  was  to  be 
seen  upon  the  plain  swept  by  this  tempest  of  orchestral  death,  thirty 
minutes  after  it  commenced.  Were  not  one  hundred  and  twenty  pieces 
of  artillery  trying  to  cut  from  the  field  every  battery  we  had  in  position 
to  resist  their  purposed  infantry  attack,  and  to  sweep  away  the  slight 
defences  behind  which  our  infantry  were  waiting  ?  Forty  minutes,  — 
fifty  minutes,  —  counted  watches  that  ran,  O  so  languidly!  Shells 
through  the  two  lower  rooms.  A  shell  into  the  chimney,  that  daringly 
did  not  explode.  Shells  in  the  yard.  The  air  thicker,  and  fuller, 
and  more  deafening  with  the  howling  and  whirring  of  these  infernal 
missiles.  The  Chief  of  Staff  struck,  —  Seth  Williams,  —  loved  and 
respected  through  the  army,  separated  from  instant  death  by  two  inches 
of  space  vertically  measured.  An  aide  bored  with  a  fragment  of  iron 
through  the  bone  of  the  arm.  And  the  time  measured  on  the  sluggish 
watches  was  one  hour  and  forty  minutes." 

A  soldier  was  lying  on  the  ground  a  few  rods  distant  from 
where  I  was  sitting.  There  was  a  shriek,  such  as  I  hope  never 
again  to  hear,  and  his  body  was  whirling  in  the  air,  a  mangled 
mass  of  flesh,  blood,  and  bones ! 

A  shell  exploding  in  the  cemetery,  killed  and  wounded 
twenty-seven  men  in  one  regiment !  *  and  yet  the  troops,  lying 
under  the  fences,  —  stimulated  and  encouraged  by  General 
Howard,  who  walked  coolly  along  the  line,  —  kept  their  places 
and  awaited  the  attack. 

It  was  half  past  two  o'clock. 

"  We  will  let  them  think  that  they  have  silenced  us,"  said 
General  Howard  to  Major  Osborne.  The  artillerists  threw 
themselves  upon  the  ground  beside  their  pieces. 

Suddenly  there  was  a  shout,  —  "  Here  they  come !  " 

Every  man  was  on  the  alert.  The  cannoneers  sprang  to 
their  feet.  The  long  lines  emerged  from  the  woods,  and  moved 
rapidly  but  steadily  over  the  fields,  towards  the  Emmettsburg 
road. 

Howard's  batteries  burst  into  flame,  throwing  shells  with  the 
utmost  rapidity.     There  are  gaps  in  the  Rebel  ranks,  but  on 

*  Greneral  Howard's  Keport. 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OP  GETTYSBURG.  296 

ward  still  they  come.  They  reach  the  Emmettsburg  road. 
Pickett's  division  appears  by  Klingers  house.  All  of  Howard's 
guns  are  at  work  now.  Pickett  turns  to  the  right,  moving 
north,  driven  in  part  by  the  fire  rolling  in  upon  his  flank  from 
Weed's  Hill,  and  from  the  Third,  Fifth,  and  Sixth  Corps  bat- 
teries. Suddenly  he  faces  east,  descends  the  gentle  slope  from 
the  road  behind  Codori's,  crosses  the  meadow,  comes  in  reacli 
of  the  muskets  of  the  Yermonters .  The  three  regiments  rise 
from  their  shallow  trench.  The  men  beneath  the  oak-trees 
leap  from  their  low  breastwork  of  rails.  There  is  a  ripple,  a 
roll,  a  deafening  roar.  Yet  the  momentum  of  the  Rebel  col- 
umn carries  it  on.  It  is  becoming  thinner  and  weaker,  but  they 
still  advance. 

The  Second  Corps  is  like  a  thin  blue  ribbon.  Will  it  with- 
stand the  shock  ?  "  Give  them  canister !  Pour  it  into  them !  " 
shouts  Major  Charles  Howard,  running  from  battery  to  battery. 
The  Rebel  line  is  almost  up  to  the  grove  in  front  of  Robin- 
son's. It  has  reached  the  clump  of  shrub-oaks.  It  has  drifted 
past  the  Vermont  boys.  Onward  still.  "Break  their  third 
line!  Smash  their  supports!"  cries  General  Howard,  and  Os- 
borne and  Wainwright  send  the  fire  of  fifty  guns  into  the  col- 
umn, each  piece  fired  three  times  a  minute !  The  cemetery 
is  lost  to  view,  —  covered  with  sulphurous  clouds,  flaming  and 
smoking  and  thundering  like  Sinai  on  the  great  day  of  the 
Lord !  The  front  line  of  Rebels  is  melting  away,  —  the  second 
is  advancing  to  take  its  place ;  but  beyond  the  first  and  second 
is  the  third,  which  reels,  breaks,  and  flies  to  the  woods  from 
whence  it  came,  unable  to  withstand  the  storm. 

Hancock  is  wounded,  and  Gibbon  is  in  command  of  the 
Second  Corps.  "  Hold  your  fire,  boys ;  they  are  not  near 
enough  yet,"  says  Gibbon,  as  Pickett  comes  on.  The  first 
volley  staggers,  but  does  not  stop  them.  They  move  upon  the 
run,  —  up  to  the  breastwork  of  rails,  —  bearing  Hancock's  line 
to  the  top  of  the  ridge, — so  powerful  their  momentum. 

Men  fire  into  each  other's  faces,  not  five  feet  apart.  There 
are  bayonet-thrusts,  sabre-strokes,  pistol-shots ;  cool,  deliberate 
movements  on  the  part  of  some,  —  hot,  passionate,  desperate 
efforts  with  others ;  hand-to-hand  contests ;  recklessness  of  life ; 
tenacity  of  purpose ;  fiery  determination ;  oaths,  yells,  curses, 


THE  BOYS   OF  '61.  [July^ 

hurrahs,  shoutings  ;  meu  going  down  on  their  hands  and  knees, 
spinning  round  like  tops,  throwing  out  their  arms,  gulping  up 
hlood,  falling;  legless,  armless,  headless.  There  are  ghastly 
heaps  of  dead  men.  Seconds  are  centuries ;  minutes,  ages ; 
but  the  thin  line  does  not  break ! 

The  Rebels  have  swept  past  the  Vermont  regiments.  "  Take 
them  in  flank,"  says  General  Stannard. 

The  Tliirteenth  and  Sixteenth  swing  out  from  the  trench, 
turn  a  right  angle  to  the  main  line,  and  face  the  north.  They 
move  forward  a  few  steps,  pour  a  deadly  volley  into  the  backs 
of  Kemper's  troops.  With  a  hurrah  they  rush  on,  to  drive 
home  the  bayonet.  The  Fifteenth,  Nineteenth,  Twentieth  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  Seventh  Michigan,  Twentieth  New  York,  Nine- 
teenth Maine,  One  Hundred  Fifty-First  Pennsylvania,  and  other 
regiments  catch  the  enthusiasm  of  tlie  moment,  and  close  upon 
the  foe. 

The  Rebel  column  has  lost  its  power.  The  lines  waver.  The 
soldiers  of  the  front  rank  look  round  for  their  supports.  They 
are  gone,  —  fleeing  over  the  field,  broken,  shattered,  thrown 
into  confusion  by  the  remorseless  fire  from  the  cemetery  and 
from  the  cannon  on  the  ridge.  The  lines  have  disappeared  like 
a  straw  in  a  candle's  flame.  The  ground  is  thick  with  dead, 
and  the  wounded  are  like  the  withered  leaves  of  autumn. 
Thousands  of  Rebels  throw  down  their  arms  and  give  them- 
selves up  as  prisoners. 

How  inspiring  the  moment!  How  thrilling  the  hour!  It 
is  the  high-water  mark  of  the  Rebellion,  —  a  turning-point 
of  history  and  of  human  destiny ! 

Treason  had  wielded  its  mightiest  blow.  From  that  time 
the  Rebellion  began  to  wane.  An  account  of  the  battle,  written 
on  the  following  day,  and  published  on  the  6th  of  July  in  the 
Boston  Journal,  contains  the  following  passage  :  — 

"  The  invasion  of  the  North  was  over,  —  the  power  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy  broken.  There  at  that  sunset  hour  I  could  discern  the 
future;  no  longer  an  overcast  sky,  but  the  clear,  unclouded  starlight,  —  a 
country  redeemed,  saved,  baptized,  consecrated  anew  to  the  coming  ages. 

"  All  honor  to  the  heroic  living,  all  glory  to  the  gallant  dead  I  They 
have  not  fought  in  vain,  they  have  not  died  for  naught.  No  man  liveth 
to  himself  alone.     Not  for  themselves,  but  for  their  children ;  for  those 


i>#  "^^ 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  297 

who  may  never  hear  of  them  in  their  nameless  graves,  how  they  yielded 
life;  for  the  future;  for  all  that  is  good,  pure,  holy,  just,  true;  for 
humanity,  righteousness,  peace ;  for  Paradise  on  earth ;  for  Christ  and 
for  God,  they  have  given  themselves  a  willing  sacrifice.  Blessed  be 
their  memory  forevermore ! " 

I  rode  along  the  lines,  and  beheld  the  field  by  the  light  ot 
the  gleaming  stars.  The  dead  were  everywhere  thickly  strown. 
How  changed  the  cemetery !  Three  days  before,  its  gravelled 
walks  were  smooth  and  clean  ;  flowers  were  in  bloom ;  birds 
carolled  their  songs  amid  the  trees  ;  the  monuments  were  unde- 
faced ;  the  marble  slabs  pure  and  white.  Now  there  were 
broken  wheels  and  splintered  caissons;  dead  horses,  shot  in 
the  neck,  in  the  head,  through  the  body,  disembowelled  by 
exploding  shells,  legs  broken,  flesh  mangled  and  toni ;  pools 
of  blood,  scarlet  stains  on  the  headstones,  green  grass  changed 
to  crimson ;  marble  slabs  shivered ;  the  ground  ploughed  by 
solid  shot,  holes  blown  out  by  bursting  shells  ;  dead  men  lying 
where  they  had  fallen,  wounded  men  creeping  to  the  rear; 
cries  and  groans  all  around  me !  Fifty  shells  a  minute  had 
fallen  upon  that  small  enclosure.  Not  for  a  moment  was  there 
thought  of  abandoning  the  position.  How  those  batteries  of 
Osborne  and  Wainwright,  of  the  Eleventh  and  First  Corps,  had 
lightened  and  thundered !  There  were  scores  of  dead  by  the 
small  house  where  the  left  of  the  Rebel  line  advanced,  lying 
just  as  they  were  smitten  down,  as  if  a  thunderbolt  had  fallen 
upon  the  once  living  mass ! 

An  English  officer,  who  saw  the  battle  from  the  Rebel  lines, 
<lius  says  of  the  repulse :  — 

"  I  soon  began  to  meet  many  wounded  men  returning  from  the  front; 
many  of  them  asked  in  piteous  tones  the  way  to  a  doctor,  or  an  ambu- 
lance. The  further  I  got  the  greater  became  the  number  of  the  wound- 
ed. At  last  I  came  to  a  perfect  stream  of  them  flocking  through  the 
woods  in  numbers  as  great  as  the  crowd  in  Oxford  Street  in  the  middle 

of  the  day They  were  still  under  a  heavy  fire  ;  the  shells  were 

continually  bringing  down  great  limbs  of  trees,  and  carrying  further 
destruction  amongst  their  melancholy  procession.  I  saw  all  this  in 
much  less  time  than  it  takes  to  write  it,  and  although  astonished  to 
meet  such  a  vast  number  of  wounded,  I  had  not  seen  enough  to  give 
me  an  idea  of  the     ^al  extent  of  the  mischief. 


298  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [July, 

"  When  I  got  close  up  to  General  Longstreet,  I  saw  one  of  his  regi- 
ments aiVancing  through  the  woods  in  good  order ;  so,  thinking  I  was 
just  in  time  to  see  the  attack,  I  remarked  to  the  General  that  '  I 
would  n't  have  missed  this  for  anything.'  Longstreet  was  seated  on 
the  top  of  a  snake-fence,  in  the  edge  of  the  wood,  and  looking  per- 
fectly calm  and  unperturbed.  He  replied,  *  The  devil  you  would  n't ! 
I  would  like  to  have  missed  it  very  much  ;  we  've  attacked  and  been 
repulsed.     Look  there ! ' 

"  For  the  first  time  I  then  had  a  view  of  the  open  space  between  the 
two  positions,  and  saw  it  covered  with  Confederates  slowly  and  sulkily 
returning  towards  us  in  small  broken  parties 

"  I  remember  seeing  a  general  (Pettigrew  I  think  it  was)  come  up 
to  him  and  report  that  he  was  unable  to  bring  his  men  up  again.  Long- 
street  turned  upon  him  and  replied  with  some  sarcasm :  '  Very  well,  — 
never  mind,  then,  General ;  just  let  them  remain  where  they  are.  The 
enemy  is  going  to  advance,  and  will  spare  you  the  trouble.'  .... 

"  Soon  afterward  I  joined  General  Lee,  who  had  in  the  mean  while 
oome  to  the  front,  on  becoming  aware  of  the  disaster.  He  was  engaged 
in  rallying  and  in  encouraging  the  troops,  and  was  riding  about  a  little 
in  front  of  the  woods  quite  alone,  the  whole  of  his  staff  being  engaged 
in  a  similar  manner  further  to  the  rear.  His  face,  which  is  always 
placid  and  cheerful,  did  not  show  signs  of  the  slightest  disappointment, 
care,  or  annoyance ;  and  he  was  addressing  to  every  soldier  he  met  a 
few  words  of  encouragement,  such  as,  *  All  this  will  come  right  in  the 
end ;  we  will  talk  it  over  afterwards,  —  but  in  the  mean  time  all  good 
men  must  rally.  We  want  all  good  men  and  true  men  just  now,'  &c. 
....  He  said  to  me,  *  This  has  been  a  sad  day  for  us.  Colonel,  —  a  sad 
day ;  but  we  can't  expect  always  to  gain  victories.'  ....  I  saw  General 
Wilcox  (an  officer  who  wears  a  short  round  jacket  and  a  battered  straw 
hat)  come  up  to  him,  and  explain,  almost  crying,  the  state  of  his 
brigade.  General  Lee  immediately  shook  hands  with  him,  and  said, 
cheerfully,  '  Never  mind,  General.  All  this  has  been  my  fault,  —  it  is 
I  that  have  lost  this  fight,  and  you  must  help  me  out  of  it  in  the  best 
way  you  can.'  "* 

It  was  past  eleven  o'clock  in  the  evening  when  I  rode  up 
from  the  gory  field,  over  the  ridge,  where  the  Second  Corps 
had  stood  like  a  wall  of  adamant.  Meade's  head-quarters  were 
in  a  grove,  east  of  the  small  house  where  he  established  himself 
at  the  beginning  of  the  battle.  The  fire  had  been  too  hot  at 
Mrs.  Leister's.     Meade  was  sitting  on  a  great  flat  boulder, 

•  Blackwood's  Magazine,  September,  1863.  — Lieutenan^Colonel  Freemantle. 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  299 

listening  to  the  reports  of  his  officers,  brought  in  by  cou- 
riers. It  was  a  scene  which  lives  in  memory :  a  dark  forest, 
—  the  evening  breeze  gently  rustling  the  green  leaves  over 
)ur  heads,  —  the  katydids  and  locusts  singing  cheerily,  —  the 
bivouac  fires  glimmering  on  the  ground,  revealing  the  sur- 
rounding objects,  —  the  gnarled  trees,  torn  by  cannon-shot, — 
the  mossy  stones,  —  the  group  of  officers,  —  Williams,  Warren, 
Howard  (his  right  sleeve  wanting  an  arm),  Pleasanton,  as  trim 
as  in  the  morning ;  Meade  stooping,  weary,  his  slouched  hat 
laid  aside,  so  that  the  breeze  might  fan  his  brow. 

"  Bully  !  bully  !  bully  all  round  !  "  said  he  ;  and  then  turn- 
ing to  liis  chief  of  staff,  Humphrey,  said,  "  Order  up  rations 
and  ammunition." 

To  General  Hunt,  chief  of  artillery,  "  Have  your  limbers 
filled.  Lee  may  be  up  to  something  in  the  morning,  and  we 
must  be  ready  for  him." 

A  band  came  up  and  played  "  Hail  to  the  Chief! "  the  "  Star- 
spangled  Banner,"  and  "  Yankee  Doodle."  Soul-stirring  the 
strains.  The  soldiers,  lying  on  their  arms,  where  they  had 
fought,  heard  it,  and  responded  with  a  cheer.  Not  all :  for 
thousands  were  deaf  and  inanimate  evermore. 

No  accurate  statement  of  the  number  engaged  in  this  great, 
decisive  battle  of  the  war  can  ever  be  given.  Meade's  march 
to  Gettysburg  was  made  with  great  rapidity.  The  Provost 
Marshal  of  the  army,  General  Patrick,  committed  the  great 
error  of  having  no  rear  guard  to  bring  up  the  stragglers,  which 
were  left  behind  in  thousands,  and  who  foimd  it  much  more 
convenient  to  live  on  the  excellent  fare  furnished  by  the  farm- 
ers than  to  face  the  enemy.  Meade's  entire  force  on  the  field 
numbered  probably  from  sixty  to  seventy  thousand.  The  Rebel 
army  had  made  slower  marches,  and  the  soldiers  could  not 
straggle ;  they  were  in  an  enemy's  country.  Lee,  therefore, 
had  fuller  ranks  than  Meade.  His  force  may  be  estimated  at 
ninety  thousand  men. 

The  people  of  the  North  expressed  their  gratitude  to  the 
leroes  who  had  won  this  battle,  by  pouring  out  their  contribu- 
tions for  the  relief  of  the  wounded.  The  agents  of  the  Chris- 
tian and  Sanitary  Commissions  were  quickly  on  the  ground, 
and  hundreds  of  warm-hearted  men  and  women  hastened  to 


800  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [July, 

the  spot  to  render  aid.  The  morning  after  tiie  battle  I  saw  a 
stout  Pennsylvania  farmer  driving  his  two-horse  farm  wagon 
up  the  Baltimore  pike,  loaded  down  with  loaves  of  soft  bread 
which  his  wife  and  daughters  had  baked. 

Tender  and  affecting  are  some  of  the  incidents  of  the  battle- 
field. A  delegate  of  the  Christian  Commission  passing  among 
the  wounded,  came  to  an  officer  from  South  Carolina. 

"  Can  I  do  anything  for  you  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  No  !  "  was  the  surly  reply. 

He  passed  on,  but  upon  his  return  repeated  the  question, 
and  received  the  same  answer.  The  day  was  hot,  the  air  offen- 
sive, from  putrefying  wounds,  and  the  delegate  was  putting 
cologne  on  the  handkerchiefs  of  the  patients. 

"  Colonel,  let  me  put  some  of  this  on  your  handkerchief." 

The  wounded  man  burst  into  tears.  "  I  have  no  hand 
kerchief." 

"  Well,  you  shall  have  one  " ;  and  wetting  his  own  gave  it 
to  him. 

"  I  can't  understand  you  Yankees,"  said  the  Colonel.  "  You 
ftght  us  like  devils,  and  then  you  treat  us  like  angels.  I  am 
sorry  I  entered  this  war."  * 

Said  another  Rebel,  —  an  Irishman,  —  to  a  chaplain  who 
took  care  of  him,  "  May  every  hair  of  your  head  be  a  wax-taper 
to  light  you  on  your  way  to  glory  !  "  f 

A  chaplain  passing  through  the  hospital,  came  to  a  cot  where 
lay  a  young  wounded  soldier  who  had  fought  for  the  Union. 

"  Poor  fellow  !  "  said  the  chaplain. 

"  Don't  call  me  '  poor  fellow ! '  "  was  the  indignant  reply, 

*'  Dear  fellow,  then.  Have  you  written  to  your  mother  since 
the  battle  ? " 

"No,  sir!" 

"  You  ought  to.  Here  it  is  the  tenth,  —  a  whole  week  since 
the  battle.     She  will  be  anxious  to  hear  from  you." 

The  lad  with  his  left  hand  threw  aside  the  sheet  which  cov- 
ered him,  and  the  chaplain  saw  that  his  right  arm  was  off  near 
the  shoulder. 

"  That  is  the  reason,  sir,  that  I  have  not  written.     I  have 

*  Address  before  Alumni  of  Williams  College,  1865.     Charles  Demond. 
t  Ibid. 


1863.]  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBUBG.  801 

not  forgotten  her,  sir.  I  have  prayed  for  her,  and  I  thank  God 
for  gmng  me  so  dear  a  mother." 

Then  turning  aside  the  sheet  farther,  the  chaplain  saw  that 
his  left  leg  was  gone.  Sitting  down  beside  the  young  hero  the 
chaplain  wrote  as  he  dictated. 

"  Tell  mother  that  I  have  given  my  right  arm  and  my  left 
leg  to  my  country,  and  that  I  am  ready  to  give  both  of  my 
other  limbs  !  "  said  he.* 

The  courage  and  patriotism  of  Spartan  mothers  is  immortal- 
ized in  story  and  song.  "Return  with  your  shield,  or  upon 
it,"  has  been  lield  up  for  admiration  through  three  thousand 
years.  The  Greek  fire  is  not  extinguished  ;  it  burns  to-day  as 
bright  and  pure  as  ever  at  Salamis  or  Marathon. 

Riding  in  tlie  cars  through  the  State  of  New  York  after  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  I  fell  in  conversation  with  a  middle-aged 
woman  who  had  two  sons  in  the  army. 

"  Have  they  been  in  battle  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  one  has  been  in  fifteen  battles.  He  was  taken 
prisoner  at  Chancellorsville  and  was  wounded  at  Gettysburg. 
The  other  is  in  the  Medical  Department." 

"  The  one  who  was  wounded  at  Gettysburg  must  have  seen 
some  liard  fighting." 

"  Yes,  sir ;  and  I'  hear  a  good  account  of  him  from  his  cap- 
tain. He  says  my  son  behaves  well.  I  told  him,  when  he  went 
away^  that  I  would  rather  hear  he  was  dead  than  that  he  had  dis- 
graced himself.'' 

*'  His  time  must  be  nearly  out." 

"  Yes,  sir,  it  is ;  but  he  is  going  to  see  it  through,  and  has 
re-enlisted.  I  should  like  to  have  him  at  home,  but  I  know  he 
would  be  uneasy.  His  comrades  have  re-enlisted,  and  he  is 
not  the  boy  to  back  out.  I  rather  want  him  to  help  give  the 
crushing  blow." 

There  were  thousands  of  such  mothers  in  the  land. 

Lee  retreated  the  morning  after  the  battle.  His  reasons  for 
a  retrograde  movement  are  thus  stated  by  himself :  — 

"  Owing  to  the  strength  of  the  enemy's  position  and  the  reduction  of 
our  ammunition,  a  renewal  of  the  engagement  could  not  be  hazarded, 


Rev.  Mr.  Auley,  meeting  Christian  Association,  Chicago. 


802  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [July, 

and  the  difficulty  of  procuring  supplies  rendered  it  impossible  to  con- 
tinue longer  where  we  were.  Such  of  the  wounded  as  were  in  con- 
dition to  be  removed,  and  part  of  the  arms  collected  on  the  field,  were 
ordered  to  Williamsport.  The  army  remained  at  Gettysburg  during 
the  4th,  and  at  night  began  to  retire  by  the  road  to  Fairfield,  carrying 
with  it  about  four  thousand  prisoners.  Nearly  two  thousand  had  pre- 
viously been  paroled,  but  the  enemy's  numerous  wounded,  that  had 
fallen  into  our  hands  after  the  first  and  second  day's  engagements,  were 
left  behind."  * 

Meade  made  no  attempt  to  follow  him  with  his  main  army, 
but  marched  directly  down  the  Emmettsburg  road,  once  more 
to  Frederick,  then  west  over  South  Mountain  to  intercept  him 
on  the  Potomac.  Meade  had  the  inside  of  the  chess-board. 
He  was  a  victor.  The  men  who  had  made  a  forced  march  to 
Gettysburg  were  awake  to  the  exigency  of  the  hour,  and  made 
a  quick  march  back  to  Frederick,  and  over  the  mountains  to 
Boonsboro'.  A  severe  storm  set  in,  and  the  roads  were  almost' 
impassable,  but  the  men  toiled  on  through  the  mire,  lifting  the 
cannon-wheels  from  the  deep  ruts,  when  the  horses  were  unable 
to  drag  the  ordnance,  singing  songs  as  they  marched  footrsore 
and  weary,  but  buoyant  over  the  great  victory. 

And  now,  as  the  intelligence  came  that  Grant  had  taken 
Vicksburg,  that  Banks  was  in  possession  of  Port  Hudson,  and 
that  the  Mississippi  was  flowing  "  unvexed  to  the  sea,"  they 
forgot  all  their  toils,  hardships,  and  suffcrhigs,  and  made  the 
air  rmg  with  their  lusty  cheers.  They  could  see  the  dawn  of 
peace,  —  peace  won  by  the  sword.  The  women  of  Maryland 
hailed  them  as  their  deliverers,  brought  out  the  best  stores 
from  their  pantries  and  gave  freely,  refusing  compensation. 

Meade  left  all  his  superfluous  baggage  behind,  and  moved  in 
light  marching  order.  Lee  was  encumbered  by  his  wounded, 
and  by  his  trains,  and  when  he  reached  Hagerstown  found 
that  Meade  was  descending  the  mountain  side,  and  that  Gregg 
was  already  in  Boonsboro'. 

Reinforcements  were  sent  to  Meade  from  Washington,  with 
the  expectation  that  by  concentration  of  all  available  forces, 
Lee's  army  might  be  wholly  destroyed.  The  elements,  which 
had  often  retarded  operations  of  the  Union  troops,  —  which  had 

*  Lee's  Report 


1863. J  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.  803 

rendered  Burnside's  and  Hooker's  movements  abortive  in  sev- 
eral instances,  now  were  propitious.  The  Potomac  was  rising, 
and  the  rain  was  still  falling.  On  the  morning  of  the  IStli  I 
rode  to  General  Meade's  head-qnarters.  General  Seth  Wil- 
liams, the  ever-courteous  Adjutant-General  of  the  army,  was 
in  General  Meade's  tent.  He  said  that  Meade  was  taking  a 
look  at  the  Rebels. 

"  Do  you  think  that  Lee  can  get  across  the  Potomac  ?  "  1 
asked. 

"  Impossible !  The  people  resident  here  say  that  it  cannot 
be  forded  at  this  stage  of  the  water.  He  has  no  pontoons. 
We  have  got  him  in  a  tight  place.  We  shall  have  reinforce- 
ments to-morrow,  and  a  great  battle  will  be  fought.  Lee  is 
encumbered  with  his  teams,  and  he  is  short  of  ammunition." 

General  Meade  came  in  dripping  with  rain,  from  a  recon> 
noissance.  His  countenance  was  unusually  animated.  He  had 
ever  been  courteous  to  me,  and  while  usually  very  reticent  of 
all  his  intentions  or  of  what  was  going  on,  as  an  officer  should 
be,  yet  in  this  instance  he  broke  over  his  habitual  silence,  and 
said,  "  We  shall  have  a  great  battle  to-morrow.  The  rein- 
forcements are  coming  up,  and  as  soon  as  they  come  we  shaU 
pitch  in." 

I  rode  along  the  lines  with  Howard  in  the  afternoon.  The 
Rebels  were  in  sight.  The  pickets  were  firing  at  each  other. 
There  was  some  movement  of  columns. 

"  I  fear  that  Lee  is  getting  away,"  said  Howard. 

He  sent  an  aide  to  Meade,  with  a  request  that  he  might 
attack. 

"  I  can  double  them  up,"  he  said,  meaning  that,  as  he  was 
on  Lee's  flank,  he  could  strike  an  effective  blow. 

Kilpatrick  was  beyond  Howard,  well  up  towards  Williams- 
port.  "  Lee  is  getting  across  the  river,  I  think,"  said  through 
a  messenger. 

It  was  nearly  night.  The  attack  was  to  be  made  early  in  the 
morning. 

The  morning  dawned  and  Lee  was  south  of  the  Potomac. 
That  officer  says  :  — 

"  The  army,  after  an  arduous  march,  rendered  more  difficult  by  the 
rains,  reached  Hagerstown  on  the  afternoon  of  the  6th  and  morning  yf 
the  7th  July. 


804  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Julj, 

"  The  Potomac  was  found  to  be  so  much  swollen  by  the  rains  that 
had  fallen  almost  mcessantly  since  our  entrance  into  Maryland,  as  to  be 
unfordable.  Our  communications  with  the  south  side  were  thus  inter- 
rupted, and  it  was  difficult  to  procure  either  ammunition  or  subsistence, 
the  latter  difficulty  being  enhanced  by  the  high  waters  impeding  the 
working  of  the  neighboring  mills.  The  trains  with  the  wounded  and 
prisoners  were  compelled  to  await  at  Williamsport  the  subsiding  of  the 
river  and  the  construction  of  boats,  as  the  pontoon  bridge,  left  at  Fall- 
ing Waters,  had  been  partially  destroyed.  The  enemy  had  not  yet 
made^  his  appearance ;  but,  as  he  was  in  condition  to  obtain  large  rein- 
forcements, and  our  situation,  for  the  reasons  above  mentioned,  was 
becoming  daily  more  embarrassing,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  recross 
the  river.  Part  of  the  pontoon  bridge  was  recovered,  and  new  boats 
built,  so  that  by  the  13th  a  good  bridge  was  thrown  over  the  river  at 
Falling  Waters. 

"The  enemy  in  force  reached  our  front  on  the  12th.  A  position  had 
been  previously  selected  to  cover  the  Potomac  from  Williamsport  to 
Falling  Waters,  and  an  attack  was  awaited  during  that  and  the  succeed 
ing  day.  This  did  not  take  place,  though  the  two  armies  were  in  close 
proximity,  the  enemy  being  occupied  in  fortifying  his  own  lines.  Our 
preparations  being  completed,  and  the  river,  though  still  deep,  being 
pronounced  fordable,  the  army  commenced  to  withdraw  to  the  south 
side  on  the  night  of  the  13th. 

"  E well's  corps  forded  the  river  at  Williamsport,  those  of  Longs treet 
and  Hill  crossed  upon  the  bridge.  Owing  to  the  condition  of  the  roads, 
the  troops  did  not  reach  the  bridge  until  after  daylight  of  the  14th,  and 
the  crossing  was  not  completed  until  1  P.  M.,  when  the  bridge  was 
removed.  The  enemy  offered  no  serious  interruption,  and  the  move- 
ment was  attended  with  no  loss  of  material  except  a  few  disabled  wag- 
ons and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  which  the  horses  were  unable  to  move 
through  the  deep  mud.  Before  fresh  horses  could  be  sent  back  for 
them,  the  rear  of  the  column  had  passed."* 

Kilpatrick  was  astir  at  daybreak ;  he  moved  into  Williams- 
port. I  accompanied  his  column.  The  Rebels  were  on  the 
Virginia  hills,  jubilant  at  their  escape.  There  were  wagons  in 
the  river,  floating  down  with  the  current,  which  had  been  cap- 
sized in  the  crossing.  Kilpatrick  pushed  on  to  Falling  Waters, 
fell  upon  Pettigrew's  brigade,  guarding  the  pontoons,  captured 
two  cannon  and  eight  hundred  mien,  in  one  of  the  most  daring 


*  Lee's  Report. 


1863.1 


THE    BATTLE    OF    GETTYSBURG. 


305 


dashes  of  the  war.  It  was  poor  satisfaction,  however,  when 
contrasted  with  what  might  have  been  done.  The  army  was 
chagrined.     Loud  were  the  denunciations  of  Meade. 

"  Another  campaign  on  the  Rappahannock,  bojs,"  said  one 
officer  in  my  hearing. 

"  We  shall  be  in  our  old  quarters  in  a  few  days,"  said 
anotlicr. 

General  Meade  has  been  severely  censured  for  not  attacking 
on  the  13th.  Lee  had  lost  thirty  thousand  men.  He  had 
suffered  a  crushing  defeat  at  Gettysburg.  Enthusiasm  had 
died  out.  His  soldiers  were  less  confident  than  they  had  been. 
fiis  ammunition  was  nearly  exhausted.  He  was  in  a  critical 
situation. 

Those  were  reasons  why  he  should  be  attacked ;  but  there 
were  also  reasons,  which  to  Meade  were  conclusive,  that  the 
attack  should  not  be  made  till  the  14th :  the  swollen  river,  — 
the  belief  that  Lee  had  no  means  of  crossing  the  Potomac,  — 
and  the  expected  reinforcements.  The  delay  was  not  from  lack 
of  spirit  or  over  caution  ;  but  with  the  expectation  of  striking  a 
blow  which  would  destroy  the  Rebel  army. 

Lee  went  up  the  valley,  while  Meade  pushed  rapidly  down 
the  base  of  the  Blue  Ridge  to  Culpepper.  But  he  was  not  in 
condition  to  take  the  offensive,  so  far  from  his  base ;  and  the 
two  armies  sat  down  upon  the  banks  of  the  Rapidan,  to  rest 
after  the  bloody  campaign. 


UEGIMENT   AT    DINNER. 


5i>6  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOR. 

There  are  few  months  in  the  calendar  of  centuries  that  will 
have  a  more  conspicuous  place  in  history  than  the  month  of 
May,  1864.  It  will  be  remembered  on  account  of  the  moment- 
ous events  which  took  place  in  one  of  the  greatest  military 
campaigns  of  history.  We  are  amazed,  not  by  its  magnitude 
merely,  for  there  Iiave  been  larger  armies,  heavier  trains  of 
artillery,  greater  preparations,  in  European  waj-f\xre,  —  but  by  a 
succession  of  events  unparalleled  for  rapidity.  We  cannot  fully 
comprehend  the  amount  of  endurance,  the  persistency,  tlie  hard 
marching,  the  harder  fighthig,  the  unwearied,  clieerrul  energy 
and  effort  which  carried  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  from  the 
Rappahannock  to  the  James  in  forty  days,  against  the  stubborn 
opposition  of  an  army  of  almost  equal  numbers.  Tliere  was 
not  a  day  of  rest,  —  scarcely  an  hour  of  quiet.  ^Moi-ning,  noon, 
and  midnight,  the  booming  of  cannon  and  tlie  rattling  of  mus- 
ketry echoed  unceasingly  through  the  Wilderness,  around  the 
hillocks  of  Spottsylvania,  along  the  banks  of  the  North  Anna, 
and  among  the  groves  of  Bethesda  Church  and  Cold  Uarbor. 

There  were  individual  acts  of  valor,  as  heroic  and  soul-stirring 
as  those  of  the  old  Cavaliers  renowned  in  story  and  song,  where 
all  the  energies  of  life  were  centred  in  one  moment.  There 
was  the  spirited  advance  of  regiments,  the  onset  of  l)rigades, 
and  the  resistless  charges  of  divisions,  —  scenes  which  stir  the 
blood  and  fire  tlie  soul;  the  hardihood,  the  endurance,  the 
cool,  collected,  reserved  force,  abidvng  the  time,  the  calm  lacing 
of  death ;  the  swift  advance,  the  rush,  the  plunge  into  the 
thickest  of  the  fight,  where  hundreds  of  cannon,  where  fifty 
thousand  muskets,  filled  the  air  with  iron  hail  and  leaden  rain. 

The  army  wintered  between  the  Rappahannock  and  the 
Rapidan.  There  had  been  a  reduction  and  reconstruction  of 
its  corps,  —  an  incorporation  of  the  First  and  Third  with  the 


1864.J       KROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOB.         307 

Fifth  and  Sixth,  with  reinforcements  added  to  the  Second. 
The  Second  was  commanded  by  Major-General  Hancock,  the 
Fifth  by  Major-General  Warren,  the  Sixth  by  Major-General 
Sedgwick. 

These  tliree  corps,  with  three  divisions  of  cavalry  commanded 
by  General  Sheridan,  composed  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  com- 
manded by  Major-General  Meade.  The  Ninth  Corps,  com- 
manded by  Major-General  Burnside,  was  added  when  the  army 
took  up  its  line  of  march. 

Lee  was  behind  Mine  Run,  with  his  head-quarters  at  Orange 
Court-House,  covering  the  advance  to  Richmond  from  that 
direction. 

There  was  concentration  everywhere.  General  Gillmore, 
witli  what  troops  could  be  spared  from  the  Department  of  the 
South,  joined  his  forces  to  those  on  the  Peninsula  and  at  Suffolk 
under  General  Butler ;  Sigel  commanded  several  thousand  in 
the  Shenandoah  ;  Crook  and  Averell  had  a  small  army  in  West- 
ern Virginia  ;  at  Chattanooga,  under  Sherman  and  Thomas, 
was  gathered  a  large  army  of  Western  troops ;  while  Banks 
was  up  the  Red  River,  moving  towards  Shreveport. 

The  dramatis  personce  were  known  to  the  public,  but  the  part 
assigned  to  each  was  kept  profoundly  secret.  There  was  dis- 
cussion and  speculation  whether  Burnside,  from  his  encamp- 
ment at  Annapolis,  would  suddenly  take  transports  and  go  to 
Wilmington,  or  up  the  Rappahannock,  or  the  James,  or  the 
York.  Would  Meade  move  directly  across  the  Rapidan  and 
attack  Lee  in  front,  with  every  passage,  every  hill  and  ravine 
enfiladed  by  Rebel  cannon  ?  Or  would  he  move  his  right  flank 
along  the  Blue  Ridge,  crowding  Lee  to  the  seaboard  ?  Would 
he  not  make,  rather,  a  sudden  change  of  base  to  Fredericks- 
burg ?  None  of  tlie  wise  men,  military  or  civil,  in  their  spec- 
ulations, indicated  the  line  which  General  Grant  adopted.  The 
public  accepted  the  disaster  at  Chancellorsville  and  the  failure 
at  Mine  Run  as  conclusive  evidence  that  a  successful  advance 
across  the  Rapidan  by  the  middle  fords  was  impossible,  or  at 
least  improbable.  So  well  was  the  secret  kept,  that,  aside  from 
the  corps  commanders,  none  in  or  out  of  the  army,  except  tho 
President  and  Secretary  of  War,  had  information  of  the  line  of 
march  intended. 


BOS  THE  BOYS  OF   61  [May, 

General  Grant  had  a  grand  plan,  —  not  merely  for  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  but  for  all  of  the  armies  in  the  Union  service. 

Banks  was  to  take  Shreveport,  then  sail  rapidly  down  the 
Mississippi  and  move  upon  Mol)ile,  accompanied  by  the  naval 
force  under  Farragut.  Sherman  was  to  push  Johnston  fi'om 
his  position  near  Chattanooga.  If  Banks  succeeded  at  Mobile, 
he  was  to  move  up  to  Montgomery  and  co-operate  with  Sherman. 
Such  a  movement  would  compel  the  Rebel  General  Johnston  to 
retire  from  Atlanta.  It  would  sever  Alabama  and  Mississippi 
from  the  other  States  of  the  Confederacy. 

Butler  was  to  move  up  the  James  and  seize  Richmond,  or 
cut  the  railroads  south  of  the  Appomattox.  Sigel  was  to  pass 
up  the  Shenandoah,  while  the  troops  in  Western  Virginia  were 
to  sever  the  railroad  leading  to  East  Tennessee. 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  to  move  upon  Richmond,  — 
or  rather  upon  Lee's  army.  The  policy  of  General  Grant  —  the 
idea  upon  which  he  opened  and  conducted  the  campaign  —  must 
be  fully  comprehended  before  the  events  can  be  clearly  under- 
stood. 

That  idea  is  thus  expressed  in  General  Grant's  official  re- 
port :  — 

"  From  an  early  period  in  the  Rebellion  I  had  been  impressed  with 
the  idea  that  active  and  continuous  operations  of  all  the  troops  that 
could  be  brought  into  the  field,  regardless  of  season  and  weather,  were 
necessary  to  a  speedy  termination  of  the  war.  The  resources  of  the 
enemy,  and  his  numerical  strength,  were  far  inferior  to  ours ;  but  as  an 
offset  to  this,  we  had  a  vast  territory,  with  a  population  hostile  to  the 
government,  to  garrison,  and  long  lines  of  river  and  railroad  communi- 
cations to  protect,  to  enable  us  to  supply  the  operating  armies. 

"The  armies  in  the  East  and  West  acted  independently  and  without 
concert,  like  a  balky  team,  no  two  ever  pulling  together,  enabling  the 
enemy  to  use  to  great  advantage  his  interior  lines  of  communication  for 
transporting  troops  from  east  to  west,  reinforcing  the  army  most  vigoi- 
ously  pressed,  and  to  furlough  large  numbers  during  seasons  of  inac- 
tivity on  our  part,  to  go  to  their  homes,  and  do  the  work  of  producing 
for  the  support  of  their  armies.  It  was  a  question  whether  our  numer- 
ical strength  and  resources  were  not  more  than  balanced  by  these  disad- 
vantages and  the  enemy's  superior  position. 

"  From  the  first,  I  was  firm  in  the  conviction  that  no  peace  could  be 
had  that  would  be  stable  and  conducive  to  the  happiness  of  the  people, 


1864.]       FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOK.  309 

both  North  and  South,  until  the  military  power  of  the  rebellion  waa 
entirely  broken. 

"I  therefore  determined,  first,  to  use  the  greatest  number  of  troops 
practicable  against  the  armed  ibrce  of  the  eneniy ;  preventing  him  from 
using  the  same  force  at  different  seasons  against  first  one  and  then 
another  of  our  armies,  and  the  possibility  of  repose  for  refitting  and 
producing  necessary  supplies  for  carrying  on  resistance.  Second,  to 
hammer  continuously  against  the  armed  force  of  the  enemy  and  his 
resources,  until,  by  mere  attrition,  if  in  no  other  way,  there  should  be 
nothing  left  to  him  but  an  equal  submission  with  the  loyal  section  of 
our  common  country,  to  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  the  land." 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  no  easy  task  to  perform. 
Lee  had  the  advantage  of  position.  The  Rapidan  was  his  line. 
He  had  improved  his  old  earthworks  and  thrown  up  new  ones. 
His  cannon  covered  the  fords.  His  army  was  as  large  as  when 
he  invaded  Pennsylvania.  Grant  must  cross  the  Rapidan  at 
some  point.  To  attempt  and  fail  would  be  disastrous.  It  was 
easy  to  say,  Push  on  !  but  it  was  far  different  to  meet  the  storm 
of  leaden  hail,  —  far  different  to  see  a  line  waver,  break,  and 
scatter  to  the  rear,  with  utter  loss  of  heart.  Those  were  con- 
tingencies and  possibilities  to  be  taken  into  account. 

It  was  no  light  affair  to  supply  an  army  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  men,  over  a  single  line  of  railway,  —  to  accu- 
mulate supplies  in  advance  of  the  movement,  —  to  cut  loose 
from  his  base  of  operations,  and  open  a  new  base  as  occasion 
should  call.  Every  mile  of  advance  increased  Grant's  diffi- 
culty, while  every  mile  of  retrograde  movement  carried  Lee 
nearer  to  his  base  of  operations. 

All  the  speculations  in  regard  to  Burnside's  destination  fell 
to  the  ground  when,  on  the  25th  of  April,  the  Ninth  Corps 
passed  through  Washington,  and  moved  into  Virginia.  It  was 
a  sublime  spectacle.  The  Ninth  Corps  achieved  almost  the 
first  successes  of  the  war  in  North  Carolina.  It  had  hastened 
to  the  Potomac  in  time  to  aid  in  rescuing  the  capital  when  Lee 
made  his  first  Northern  invasion.  It  won  glory  at  South  Moun- 
tain, and  made  the  narrow  bridge  of  Antietam  forever  historic. 
It  had  reached  Kentucky  in  season  to  aid  in  driving  the  Rebels 
from  that  State,  and  now,  with  recruited  ranks,  —  with  new 
regiments  of  as  good  blood  as  ever  was  poured  out  in  the  cause 


310  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

of  right,  with  a  new  element  which  was  to  make  for  itself  a 
name  never  again  to  be  despised,  the  corps  was  marching 
through  the  capital  of  the  nation,  passing  in  review  before 
Abraham  Lincoln.  The  corps  marched  down  Fourteenth  Street 
past  Willard's  Hotel,  where  upon  the  balcony  stood  the  Presi- 
dent and  General  Burnside.  Behold  the  scene !  Platoons, 
companies,  battalions,  regiments,  brigades,  and  divisions.  The 
men  are  bronzed  by  the  rays  of  a  Southern  sun,  and  by  the 
March  winds.  The  bright  sunshine  gleams  from  their  bay- 
onets ;  above  them  wave  their  standards,  tattered  by  the 
winds,  torn  by  cannon-ball  and  rifle-shot,  —  stained  with  the 
blood  of  dying  heroes.  They  are  priceless  treasures,  more 
beloved  than  houses,  land,  riches,  honor,  ease,  comfort,  wife 
or  children.  Ask  them  what  is  most  dear  of  all  earthly  things, 
there  will  be  but  one  answer, — "  The  flag !  the  dear  old  flag!  " 
It  is  their  pillar  of  fire  by  night,  of  cloud  by  day,  —  the  sym- 
bol of  everything  worth  living  for,  worth  dying  for ! 

Their  banners  bear  the  names  of  Bull  Run,  Ball's  Bluff, 
Roanoke,  Newburn,  Gains's  Mills,  Mechanicsville,  Seven  Pines, 
Savage  Station,  Glendale,  Malvern,  Fredericksburg,  Chancel- 
orsville,  Antietam,  South  Mountain,  Knoxville,  Vicksburg, 
Port  Hudson,  Gettysburg,  inscribed  in  golden  characters. 

The  people  of  Washington  have  turned  out  to  see  them. 
Senators  have  left  their  Chamber,  and  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives has  taken  a  recess  to  gaze  upon  the  defenders  of  their 
country,  as  they  pass  through  the  city,  —  many  of  them,  alas ! 
never  to  return. 

There  is  the  steady  tramping  of  the  thousands,  —  the  deep, 
heavy  jar  of  the  gun-carriages,  —  the  clattering  of  hoofs,  the 
clanking  of  sabres,  the  drum-beat,  the  bugle-call,  and  the  music 
of  the  bands.  Pavement,  sidewalk,  windows,  and  roofs  are 
occupied  by  the  people.  A  division  of  veterans  pass,  saluting 
the  President  and  their  commander  with  cheers.  And  now 
with  full  ranks,  platoons  extending  from  sidewalk  to  sidewalk, 
are  brigades  which  never  have  been  in  battle,  for  the  first  time 
shouldering  arms  for  their  country ;  who  till  a  year  ago  never 
had  a  country,  who  even  now  are  not  American  citizens,  who 
are  disfranchised,  —  yet  they  are  going  out  to  fight  for  the 
flag!     Their  country  was  given  them  by  the  tall,  pale,  benevo- 


1864.]       FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOR.         811 

lent-hearted  man  standing  upon  the  balcony.  For  the  first 
time  they  behold  their  benefactor.  They  are  darker  hued  than 
their  veteran  comrades ;  but  they  can  cheer  as  lustily,  "  Hur- 
rah !  Hurrah  !  "  "  Hurrah  for  Massa  Linkum  !  "  "  Three 
cheers  for  the  President !  "  They  swing  their  caps,  clap  their 
hands,  and  shout  their  joy.  Long,  loud,  and  jubilant  are  the 
rejoicings  of  those  redeemed  sons  of  Africa.  Regiment  after 
regiment  of  stalwart  men,  —  slaves  once,  but  freemen  now, — 
with  steady  step  and  even  rank,  pass  down  the  street,  moving 
on  to  the  Old  Dominion. 

It  was  the  first  review  of  colored  troops  by  tlie  President. 
He  gave  them  freedom,  he  recognized  them  as  soldiers.  Their 
brethren  in  arms  of  the  same  complexion  had  been  murdered 
in  cold  blood,  after  surrender,  at  Fort  Pillow  and  at  Plymouth. 
And  such  would  be  their  fate  should  they  by  chance  become 
prisoners  of  war. 

The  time  had  come  for  the  great  movement. 

On  Tuesday  afternoon.  May  3d,  the  cavalry  broke  camp  on 
the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  and  moved  eastward, — 
General  Gregg's  division  towards  Ely's  Ford,  and  General  Wil- 
son's division  towards  Germanna  Ford,  each  having  pontoons. 
At  midnight  the  Second  Corps,  which  had  been  encamped  east 
of  Culpepper,  followed  General  Gregg.  At  daylight  on  the 
morning  of  the  4th  of  May,  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps  and  the 
reserve  artillery  were  moving  towards  Germanna  Ford.  The 
supply-train  —  four  thousand  wagons  —  followed  the  Second 
Corps.     There  were  but  these  two  available  roads. 

The  enemy  was  at  Orange  Court-House,  watching,  from  his 
elevated  lookout  on  Clark's  Mountain,  for  the  first  sign  of 
change  in  the  Union  camp.  In  the  light  of  the  early  dawn  he 
saw  that  the  encampments  at  Culpepper  were  broken  up,  while 
the  dust-cloud  hanging  over  the  forest  toward  the  east  was  the 
sure  indication  of  the  movement. 

General  Lee  put  his  army  in  instant  motion  to  strike  the 
advancing  columns  as  they  crossed  the  Rapidan.  The  move- 
ment of  Grant  was  southeast,  that  of  Lee  northeast,  —  lines  of 
advance  which  must  produce  collision,  unless  Grant  was  far 
enough  forward  to  slip  by  the  angle.  There  is  reason  to  believe 
that  Genera)  Grant  did  not  intend  to  fight  Lee  at  Wilderness, 


'612  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

but  that  it  was  his  design  to  slip  past  that  point  and  swing 
round  by  Spottsylvania,  and,  if  possible,  get  between  Lee  and 
Richmond.  He  boldly  cut  loose  his  connection  with  Washing- 
ton, and  plunged  into  the  Wilderness,  relying  upon  the  ability 
of  his  soldiers  to  open  a  new  base  for  supplies  whenever  needed. 

In  this  first  day's  movement  he  did  not  uncover  Washington. 
Burnside  was  still  lying  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahan- 
nock. It  was  understood  in  the  army  that  the  Ninth  Corps 
was  to  be  a  reserve  to  protect  the  capital.  So,  perhaps,  Lee 
understood  it.  But  at  nightfall,  on  the  4th,  the  shelter-tents 
were  folded,  and  the  men  of  the  Ninth,  with  six  days'  rations 
in  their  haversacks,  were  on  the  march  along  the  forest-road, 
lighted  only  by  the  stars,  joining  the  main  army  at  Germanna 
Ford  on  the  morning  of  the  5th. 

The  movement  from  the  Rapidan  to  Cold  Harbor  was  made 
In  thirty  days.  It  was  a  series  of  movements  by  the  left  flank, 
in  part  to  get  between  Lee  and  his  southern  communications, 
and  in  part  to  force  him  to  abandon  strong  positions. 

The  movements  were :  — 

From  Culpepper  to  Wilderness. 

From  Wilderness  to  Spottsylvania. 

From  Spottsylvania  to  the  North  Anna. 

From  the  North  Anna  to  Cold  Harbor. 

From  Cold  Harbor  to  Petersburg. 

It  was  thirty  days  of  continuous  marching,  or  fighting,  build 
mg  defences  and  bridges,  opening  roads,  estatilishing  new  bases 
of  supplies,  through  a  country  densely  wooded,  and  crossing 
four  large  rivers,  besides  numerous  smaller  streams,  to  find 
always  the  enemy  upon  the  other  side,  prepared  to  give  des- 
perate battle. 

It  was  early  in  the  morning  on  the  4th  of  May  when  the 
reveille  sounded  for  the  last  time  over  the  hills  and  dales  of 
Culpepper.  The  last  cups  of  coffee  were  drunk,  the  blankets 
folded,  and  then  the  army,  which  through  the  winter  had  lain 
in  camp,  moved  away  from  the  log  huts,  where  many  a  jest  had 
been  spoken,  many  a  story  told,  —  where,  through  rain  and 
mud,  and  heat  and  cold,  the  faithful  and  true-hearted  men  had 
kept  watch  and  ward  through  the  long,  weary  months,  —  where 
songs  of  praise  and  prayer  to  God  had  been  raised  by  thousands 
who  looked  beyond  the  present  into  the  future  life. 


1864.]  FROM    THE    RAPIDAN    TO    COLD    HARBcTB.  318 

So  rapid  was  the  march  that  tlie  Second  Corps  reached  Chan- 
cellorsville  before  night,  having  crossed  the  Rapidan  at  Ely's 
Ford.  The  Sixth  and  Fifth  Corps  crossed  at  Germanna  Ford, 
without  opposition,  and  before  night  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
was  upon  the  southern  side  of  tliat  stream,  where  it  was  joined 
by  the  Ninth  Corps  the  next  morning. 

General  Grant's  quarters  for  the  night  were  in  an  old  house 
near  the  ford.  Lights  were  to  be  put  out  at  nine  o'clock. 
There  were  the  usual  scenes  of  a  bivouac,  and  one  unusual  to 
an  army.  The  last  beams  of  daylight  were  fading  in  the  west. 
The  drummers  were  beating  the  tattoo.  Mingled  with  the  con- 
stant rumbling  of  the  wagons  across  the  pontoons,  and  the  un- 
ceasing flow  of  the  river,  was  a  chorus  of  voices,  —  a  brigade 
singing  a  hymn  of  devotion.  It  was  the  grand  old  choral  of 
Luther,  Old  Hundred. 

"  Eternal  are  thy  mercies,  Lord, 
Eternal  truth  attends  thy  word ; 
Thy  praise  shall  sound  from  shore  to  shore, 
Till  suns  shall  rise  and  set  no  more." 

Many  soldiers  in  that  army  were  thinking  of  home,  —  not 
only  of  loved  ones,  and  of  association^  full  of  sweet  and  tender 
memories,  but  of  a  better  abiding-place,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 
To  thousands  it  was  a  last  night  on  earth. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  5th  Generals  Meade  and  Grant, 
with  their  staffs,  after  riding  five  miles  from  Germanna  Ford, 
halted  near  an  old  mill  in  the  Wilderness.  General  Sheridan's 
cavalry  had  been  pushing  out  south  and  west.  Aides  came 
back  with  despatches. 

"  They  say  that  Lee  intends  to  fight  us  here,"  said  Gcnenil 
Meade,  as  he  read  them. 

''  Very  well,"  was  the  quiet  reply  of  General  Grant. 

Tlie  two  commanders  retire  a  little  from  the  crowd,  and  stand 
by  the  roadside  in  earnest  conversation.  Grant  is  of  medium 
stature,  yet  has  a  well-developed  physique^  sandy  whiskers  and 
moustache,  blue  eyes,  earnest,  thoughtful,  and  far-seeing,  a 
cigar  in  his  mouth,  a  knife  in  one  hand,  and  a  stick,  in  the 
other,  which  he  is  whittling  to  a  point.  He  whittles  slowly 
towards  him.  His  thoughts  are  not  yet  crystallized.  His 
words  are  few.     Suddenly  he  commences  upon  the  other  end 


314  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

of  the  stick,  and  whittles  energetically  from  him.  And  now 
he  is  less  reticent,  —  talks  freely.  He  is  dressed  in  plain  blue  ; 
and  were  it  not  for  the  three  stars  upon  his  shoulder,  few 
would  select  him  as  the  Lieutenant-General  commanding  all 
the  armies  of  the  Union  in  the  field. 

Meade  is  tall,  thin,  a  little  stooping  in  the  shoulders,  quick, 
comprehending  the  situation  of  affkirs  in  an  instant,  energetic, 
—  an  officer  of  excellent  executive  ability. 

Years  ago,  a  turnpike  was  built  from  P^redericksburg  to 
Orange  Court-House ;  but  in  the  days  when  there  was  a  mania 
for  plank  roads,  another  corporation  constructed  a  plank  road 
between  the  same  places.  A  branch  plank  road,  commencing 
two  miles  west  of  Chancellor sville,  crosses  the  Rapidan  at 
Germanna  Ford,  running  to  Stevensburg,  nortli  of  tliat  stream. 
The  turnpike  runs  nearly  east  and  west,  while  the  Stevensburg 
plank  road  runs  northwest.  General  Grant  has  established  his 
head-quarters  at  the  crossing  of  the  turnpike  and  the  Stevens- 
burg road,  his  flag  waving  from  a  knoll  west  of  the  road.  A 
mile  and  a  half  out  on  the  turnpike,  on  a  ridge,  is  Parker's 
store,  where,  early  in  the  morning,  I  saw  long  lines  of  Rebel 
infantry,  the  sunlight  glSaming  from  bayonet  and  gun-barrel. 

Before  the  contest  begins,  let  us  go  up  to  tlie  old  Wilderness 
tavern,  which  stands  on  the  Stevensburg  plank  road,  and  take 
a  view  of  a  portion  of  the  battle-field.  It  will  be  a  limited  view, 
for  there  are  few  open  spaces  in  the  Wilderness. 

From  the  tavern  you  look  west.  At  your  feet  is  a  brook, 
flowing  from  the  southwest,  and  another  small  stream  from  the 
northwest,  joining  their  waters  at  the  crossing  of  the  turnpike 
and  the  plank  road.  The  turnpike  rises  over  a  ridge  between 
the  two  streams.  On  the  south  slope  is  the  house  of  Major 
Lacy,  owner  of  a  house  at  Falmouth,  used  by  our  soldiers  after 
the  battle  of  Fredericksburg.  It  is  a  beautiful  view,  —  a  smooth 
lawn  in  front  of  the  house,  meadows  green  with  the  verdure  of 
spring ;  beyond  the  meadows  are  hills  thickly  wooded,  —  tall 
oaks,  and  pine  and  cedar  thickets.  On  the  right  hand  side  of 
the  turnpike  the  ridge  is  more  broken,  and  also  thickly  set  with 
small  trees  and  bushes.  A  mile  and  a  half  out  from  the  cross- 
ing of  the  two  roads  the  ridge  breaks  down  into  a  ravine. 
General  Lee  has  possession  of  the  western  bank,  Grant  the 


1864.]       FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOR.         316 

eastern.  It  is  such  a  mixture  of  woods,  underbrush,  thickets, 
ravines,  hills,  hollows,  and  knolls,  that  one  is  bewildered  in 
passing  tlirough  it,  and  to  attempt  to  describe  would  be  a  com- 
plete bewilderment  to  writer  and  reader. 

But  General  Grant  has  been  compelled  to  make  this  ridge 
his  right  line  of  battle.  He  must  protect  his  trains,  which  are 
still  coming  in  on  the  Germanna  road. 

The  Sixth  Corps,  commanded  by  General  Sedgwick,  holds 
the  right,  covering  the  road  to  Germanna  Ford.  The  left  of 
the  Third  Division  reaches  the  turnpike,  where  it  coiniects 
with  the  Fifth  Corps,  Warren's.  Before  the  arrival  of  Burn- 
side's  force,  one  division  of  the  Fifth  is  placed  in  position 
south  of  the  turnpike.  Now  leaving  a  wide  gap,  you  walk 
througli  the  woods  towards  the  southeast,  and  two  miles  from 
head-quarters  you  find  the  Second  Corps,  under  Hancock,  a 
long  line  of  men  in  the  thick  forest,  on  both  sides  of  the 
Orange  plank  road. 

The  forenoon  of  the  5th  instant  was  devoted  to  taking  posi- 
tions. Engineers  rode  over  the  ground  and  examined  the 
charactei  of  the  country.  A  small  party  pushed  out  to  Par- 
ker's store,  but  encountered  a  Rebel  column  advancing;  but 
the  knowledge  thus  obtained  of  the  ground  in  that  direction 
was  of  great  value. 

Word  was  sent  to  General  Hancock,  who  had  orders  to  move 
in  direction  of  Spottsylvania ;  that  Lee  was  taking  positions. 
He  hastened  to  make  connection  with  the  other  corps.  Had  he 
not  moved  rapidly,  Lee  would  have  obtained  possession  of  the 
fork  of  the  two  plank  roads,  the  Stevensburg  and  the  Orange 
road,  which  would  have  been  a  serious  mishap.  The  Rebel 
advance  was  not  more  than  a  mile  distant  when  Hancock 
secured  it.  No  sooner  had  the  pickets  been  thrown  out,  than 
the  rattling  of  musketry  commenced  all  along  the  line.  About 
four  in  the  afternoon,  each  commander  began  to  feel  the  po- 
sition of  the  other  by  advancing  brigades  on  the  right,  left,  and 
centre.  An  exchange  of  a  few  volleys  would  seemingly  satisfy 
the  parties. 

It  had  been  the  practice  of  General  Lee  to  begin  and  close  a 
day  with  a  grand  fusilade.  In  this  battle  he  adhered  to  his 
former  tactics,  by  advancing  a  heavy  force  upon  our  right,  and 


816  THE  BOYS  OF  '61  [May, 

then,  when  the  contest  was  at  its  height  in  that  direction, 
attacked  on  the  left.  Tlie  rolls  of  musketry  were  very  heavy 
and  continuous  for  an  hour.  There  was  but  little  opportu- 
nity to  charge  bayonet.  It  was  a  close  contest  in  a  thick 
wood,  on  land  which  years  ago  was  turned  by  the  plough,  but 
which,  having  by  thriftless  culture  incident  to  the  existence  of 
servile  labor,  been  worn  out,  now  bears  the  smallest  oaks, 
hazels,  sassafras,  and  briers. 

Hostilities  ceased  at  night.  Each  commander  learned  enough 
of  the  other's  operations  to  make  dispositions  for  the  following 
day.  Grant  had  no  alterations  to  make.  Lee  had  forced  him 
to  accept  battle  there,  and  lie  must  do  the  best  he  could.  Long- 
street  arrived  in  the  night,  and  was  placed  against  Hancock,  on 
the  Rebel  right,  or  rather  on  the  right  centre,  overlapping  the 
Second  and  coming  against  a  portion  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  which 
was  assigned  to  the  left  centre.  Thus  these  two  corps  and  their 
two  commanders  met  again  in  deadly  conflict,  having  fought  at 
the  first  and  second  Bull  Run,  South  Mountain,  Antietam,  and 
Knoxville. 

General  Alexis  Hays,  in  the  front  line,  finding  that  he  was 
ovitnumbered,  sent  word  to  Hancock  that  he  must  have  rein- 
forcements. 

"  Tell  him,"  said  Hancock  to  the  aide,  "  that  he  shall  hava  a 
fresh  brigade  in  twenty  minutes." 

Twenty  minutes !  An  age  to  those  who  see  their  comrades 
falling,  —  tlieir  lines  growing  thinner.  Before  the  time  had 
expired,  General  Hays  was  carried  back  a  corpse ;  but  tliough 
the  brave  man  had  fallen,  the  troops  held  their  ground. 

Night  closed  over  the  scene.  Everybody  knew  that  tb.e  con- 
test would  be  renewed  in  the  morning.  Lee  began  the  attack 
on  the  5tli,  falling  like  a  thunderbolt  on  the  flank  of  Grant,  but 
made  no  impression  on  the  Union  lines,  —  not  moving  them 
an  inch  from  their  chosen  positions. 

Grant  resolved  to  take  the  initiative  on  the  morning  of  the 
6th,  and  orders  were  accordingly  issued  for  a  general  attack  at 
daybreak. 

Sedgwi-ck  was  to  commence  on  the  right  at  five  o'clock,  but 
Lee  saved  him  the  trouble.  A.  P.  Hill  forestalled  the  movo- 
m<^nt  by  advancing  at  half  past  four.     The  Rebel  batteries  by 


1864.] 


FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOR. 


817 


Parker's  store  sent  a  half-dozen  shots  into  the  Union  lino-s  as  a 
signal  for  the  beginning  of  the  contest.  Then  came  a  slight 
ripple  of  musketry,  then  a  roll,  —  long,  deep,  heavy,  —  and  the 
crash,  —  indescribable,  fearful  to  hear,  terrible  to  think  of. 
Fifty  thousand  muskets  were  flashing,  with  occasional  cannon- 
shots,  mingled  with  sho\its,  cheers,  and  hurrahs  from  the  Union 
lines,  and  yells  like  the  war-whoop  of  Indians,  —  wild,  savage 
howls  from  the  depths  of  the  tangled  jungle.  The  sun  rises 
upon  a  cloudless  sky.  The  air  becomes  sultry.  The  blood  of 
the  combatants  is  at  fever  heat.  There  are  bayonet-charges, 
surgings  to  and  fro  of  the  opposing  lines,  a  meeting  and  com 
mingling,  like  waves  of  the  ocean,  sudden  upspruigings  from 
the  underbrush  of  divisions  stealthily  advanced.  There  is  a 
continuous  rattle,  with  intervening  rolls  deepening  into  long, 
heavy  swells,  the  crescendo  and  the  diminuendo  of  a  terrible 
symphony,  rising  to  thunder-tones,  to  crash  and  roar  inde- 
scribable. 

The  Ninth  Corps  during  the  day  was  brought  between  the 
Fifth  and  Second.  Divisions  were  moved  to  the  right,  to  the 
left,  and  to  the  centre,  during  the  tw^o  days'  fight,  but  the  po- 
sitions of  the  corps  remained  unchanged,  and  stood  as  repre- 
sented in  the  diam-ani. 


Through  all  those  long  hours  of  conflict  there  was  patient 
endurance  in  front  of  the  enemy.     There  were  temporary  sue- 


318  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

cesses  and  reverses  on  both  sides.  In  only  a  single  instance 
wsis  there  permanent  advantage  to  Lee,  and  that  he  had  not 
the  power  to  improve.  It  was  at  the  close  of  the  contest  on 
the  6th.  The  sun  had  gone  down,  and  twilight  was  deepening 
into  night.  The  wearied  men  of  Rickett's  division  of  the  Sixth 
Corps,  in  the  front  line  of  battle  on  the  right,  had  thrown  them 
selves  upon  the  ground.  Suddenly  there  was  a  rush  upon  their 
flank.  There  was  musketry,  blinding  flashes  from  cannon,  and 
explosions  of  shells.  The  line  which  had  stood  firmly  through 
the  day  gave  way,  not  because  it  was  overpowered,  but  because 
it  was  surprised.  General  Seymour  and  a  portion  of  his  brigade 
were  taken  prisoners.  There  was  a  partial  panic,  which  soon 
subsided.  The  second  line  remained  firm,  the  enemy  was 
driven  back,  and  the  disaster  repaired  by  swinging  the  Sixth 
Corps  round  to  a  new  position,  covered  by  the  reserve  artillery. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th  the  pickets  reported  that  Lee  had 
fallen  back.  Reconnoitring  parties  said  that  he  was  throwing 
up  entrenchments.  Grant  was  thoughtful  through  the  day. 
He  said  but  little.  He  had  a  cigar  in  his  mouth  from  morning 
till  night.  I  saw  him  many  times  during  the  day,  deeply 
absorbed  in  thought.  He  rode  along  the  centre,  and  exam- 
ined the  R^bel  lines  towards  Parker's  store.  At  times  a  shell 
or  solid  shot  came  from  the  Rebel  batteries  through  the  thick 
forest  growth,  but  other  than  this  there  was  but  little  fighting. 
Grant  determined  to  make  a  push  for  Spottsylvania,  and  put 
his  army  between  Lee  and  Richmond.  By  noon  the  trains 
were  in  motion,  having  been  preceded  by  Sheridan  with  the 
cavalry,  followed  by  the  Ninth  Corps,  and  then  the  Fifth  on  a 
parallel  road.  But  Lee  had  the  shortest  line.  Ho  was  on  the 
alert,  and  there  was  a  simultaneous  movement  of  the  Rebel 
army  on   a  shorter  line. 

The  Second,  Fifth,  and  Sixtli  Corps  took  the  Block  road, 
while  the  Ninth,  with  the  trains,  moved  by  Chancellorsville, 
ov(M'  the  battle-ground  of  the  preceding  summer,  where  the 
bones  of  those  who  fell  in  that  struggle  were  bleaching  un- 
buried  in  the  summer  air. 

It  was  eleven  P.  M.  on  Saturday  evening,  May  7th,  when 
Generals  Grant  and  Meade,  accompanied  by  their  cavalry  es- 
corts, left  the  Wilderness  head-quarters  of  General  Hancock, 


1864.]       FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOR.  319 

for  a  ride  to  Todd's  Tavern,  a  place  of  two  or  three  houses, 
exhi«bitmg  the  usual  degree  of  thriftlessness  which  character- 
ized the  Old  Dominion.  Twice  during  the  ride  we  ran  into  the 
Rebel  pickets,  and  were  compelled  to  take  by-paths  through 
fields  and  thickets.  General  Grant  rode  at  a  break-neck  speed. 
How  exciting  !  The  sudden  flashing  of  Rebel  muskets  in  front, 
the  whiz  of  the  minnie  projectile  over  our  heads,  the  quick 
halt  and  right  about  face,  —  our  horses  stumbling  over  fallen 
limber  and  stumps,  the  clanking  of  sabres,  the  clattering  of 
hoofs,  the  plunge  into  brambles,  the  tension  of  every  nerve,  the 
strain  upon  all  the  senses,  the  feeling  of  relief  when  we  are 
once  more  in  the  road,  and  then  the  gallop  along  the  narrow 
way,  beneath  the  dark  pines  of  the  forest,  till  brought  to  a  halt 
by  the  sudden  challenge  from  our  own  sentinel !  It  is  a  fast 
life  that  one  leads  at  such  a  time.  When  the  reaction  sets  in 
the  system  is  as  limp  as  a  wilted  cabbage-leaf. 

"  Where  are  you  going  ? "  was  tlie  question  of  a  cavalryman 
as  we  halted  a  moment. 

"  To  Spottsylvania." 

"  I  reckon  you  will  have  a  scrimmage  before  you  get  there," 
said  he. 

•'  Well,  nothing  in  particular,  except  tliere  are  forty  or  tilty 
thousand  Rebs  in  front  of  you.  Sheridan  has  had  a  tough 
time  of  it,  and  I  reckon  there  is  more  work  to  be  done." 

We  pushed  on  and  reached  Todd's  at  one  o'clock  on  Sunday 
morning.  The  roads  were  full  of  cavalry,  also  the  fields  and 
woods.  Sheridan  had  been  fighting  several  hours,  with  Fitz 
Lee.  The  wounded  were  being  brought  in.  Surgeons  were 
at  work.  In  the  field,  a  short  distance  from  the  spot,  the  pickets 
were  still  firing  shots.  The  Rebels  were  retiring,  and  Sheri- 
dan's men,  having  won  the  field,  were  throwing  themselves  upon 
tlie  ground  and  dropping  off  to  sleep  as  unconcernedly  as  when 
seeking  rest  in  the  calm  repose  and  silence  of  their  far-distant 
homes. 

Fastening  our  horses  to  the  front-yard  fence  of  Todd's, 
making  a  pillow  of  our  saddles,  wrenching  off  the  palings  for 
a  bed  to  keep  our  bones  from  the  ground,  wrapping  our  blan- 
kets around  us,  we  were  sound  asleep  in  three  minutes,  undis- 


320  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

turbed  by  the  tramping  of  the  passing  troops,  the  jar  of  the 
artillery,  the  rumble  of  the  ammunition  wagons,  the  shouts  of 
the  soldiers,  the  shrieks  of  the  wounded,  and  groans  of  the 
dying. 

At  sunrise  the  head-quarters  of  the  army  were  removed  to 
Piney  Grove  Church.  No  bell  called  the  worshippers  of  the 
parish  to  its  portal  on  that  Sabbath  morning,  but  other  tones 
were  vibrating  the  air.  The  Fifth  Corps  had  come  in  collision 
with  the  Rebels,  and  while  the  rear-guard  of  the  army  were 
firing  their  last  shots  in  the  Wilderness,  the  cannonade  was 
reopening  at  Spottsylvania. 

The  day  was  intensely  hot.  I  was  wearied  by  the  events  of 
the  week,  —  the  hard  riding,  the  want  of  sleep,  the  series 
of  battles,  —  and  instead  of  riding  out  to  the  field,  enjoyed  lux- 
urious repose  beneath  the  apple-trees,  fragrant  with  blossoms, 
and  listened  to  the  strange  Sabbath  symphony,  the  humming 
of  bees,  the  songs  of  the  birds,  the  roll  of  musketry,  and  the 
cannonade. 

The  second  division,  Robinson's,  and  the  fourth.  Cutler's 
(after  the  loss  of  Wadsworth,  killed  at  the  Wilderness),  were 
engaged.  Baxter's  brigade  of  Robinson's  division  was  thrown 
forwai'd  to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  enemy.  Their  advance 
brought  on  the  battle.  The  Sixth  Corps  was  moved  to  the  left 
of  Warren's  on  the  Piney  Church  road,  and  was  placed  in 
supporting  distance.  In  this  first  engagement  Robinson  was 
badly  wounded  in  the  leg. 

The  Second  Corps  having  filed  through  the  woods,  after  a 
hot  and  dusty  march,  came  up  behind  the  Fifth  and  Sixth.  I 
took  a  ride  along  the  lines  late  in  the  afternoon.  The  Fifth 
was  moving  slowly  forward  over  undulations  and  through  pine 
thickets,  —  a  long  line  of  men  in  blue,  picking  their  way,  now 
through  dense  underbrush,  in  a  forest  of  moaning  pines,  now 
stepping  over  a  sluggish  stream,  with  briers,  hazel,  thorn-bushes, 
and  alders  impeding  every  step,  and  now  emerging  into  an  old 
field  where  the  thriftless  farmers  had  turned  the  shallow  soil 
for  spring  planting. 

There  had  been  a  lull  in  the  cannonade,  but  it  conamenced 
again.  It  was  as  before,  a  spirited  contest,  which  lasted  half 
an  hour.     Warren  pressed  steadily  on  and  drove  the  Rebels 


1864:.]       FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HAEBOR.         321 

from  their  advanced  position,  forcing  them  to  retire  across 
the  creek,  but  losing  several  hundred  men  before  he  dis- 
lodged them. 

Reaching  an  opening  in  the  forest,  I  came  upon  Hart's  plan- 
tation, a  collection  of  negro  huts  and  farm  buildings,  —  a 
lovely  spot,  where  the  spring  wheat  was  already  rolling  in 
green  waves  in  the  passing  breeze.  Looking  south  over  Po 
Creek,  I  could  see  the  Catharpen  road  lined  with  horse  and 
footmen,  and  could  hear  in  the  intervals  of  silence  the  rumble 
of  wagons.  A  cloud  of  dust  rose  above  the  forest.  Were  the 
Rebels  retreating,  or  were  they  receiving  reinforcements  ?  Gen- 
eral Grant  came  down  and  looked  at  them.  The  Rebel  artil- 
lerists near  the  court-house  must  have  discovered  us,  for  a 
half-dozen  cannon-shot  came  ringing  through  the  air,  plunging 
into  the  newly  ploughed  corn-field  and  the  clover-land,  knee 
deep  with  luxuriant  grass. 

On  Monday  morning  it  was  found  that  Lee's  whole  army  was 
at  Spottsylvania  ;  and  as  our  skirmishers  were  deployed  to 
ascertain  the  position  of  the  enemy,  it  was  discovered  that  Reb- 
els occupied  all  the  ground  in  front.  General  Grant  did  not  at 
first  think  Lee  would  make  a  detour  of  his  whole  force  from  a 
direct  line  to  Richmond ;  he  thought  it  must  be  only  detach- 
ments of  men  which  had  been  thrown  in  his  way ;  but  when  he 
discovered  what  Lee's  ilitentions  were,  he  prepared  to  accept 
battle.  Word  was  sent  to  General  Bumside  to  take  position  on 
the  extreme  left.  The  Second  Corps,  which  had  been  in  rear  of 
the  Fifth,  was  swung  to  the  right,  while  the  Sixth  was  deflected 
toward  the  Ninth.  While  these  dispositions  were  being  made, 
the  skirmishing  and  cannonade  were  never  intermitted  for  an 
instant.  A  pontoon  train  was  sent  around  to  the  right,  to  be 
used  by  Hancock.  A  battery  was  placed  in  position  at  Hart's 
plantation,  and  its  rifle  shot  and  shells  interrupted  the  tide  of 
travel  on  the  Catharpen  road.  Riding  down  to  the  front  of 
Hancock's  corps,  I  found  Birney,  who  with  the  Third  Division 
held  the  extreme  right,  and  had  already  pusiied  far  over  toward 
the  Catharpen  road. 

Gibbon's  division  was  in  the  centre,  and  Barlow's  was  on  the 
left,  occupying,  in  part,  ground  which  the  Fifth  had  held  the 
night   previous.      It  was  nearly  night,  and  the  conflict  was 

21 


822  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Maj, 

deepening.  The  day  had  been  intensely  hot,  but.  as  the  cool- 
ness of  evening  came  on,  both  parties  addressed  themselves 
to  the  encounter.  Barlow  marched  over  undulating  pasture- 
lands,  through  fringes  of  forest,  into  a  meadow,  across  it,  and 
into  the  dark  pines  beyond.  Taking  a  favorable  stand  near 
a  deserted  farm-house,  by  the  Piney  Church  road,  I  could 
see  the  dark  lines  move  steadily  on.  Below  me,  on  a  hillock, 
were  Hancock  and  staff  directing  movements.  A  half-dozen 
batteries  were  in  position  close  by.  One  —  the  Third  Massa- 
chusetts—  was  sending  its  shells  over  the  heads  of  our  men 
into  the  woods  beyond  the  meadow.  Mounting  the  breast 
works  which  had  been  thrown  up  at  this  spot,  I  could  see  the 
orchard  where  the  Rebel  riflemen  were  lying.  There  was  the 
sharp,  shrill  ringing  of  the  minnie  bullets  whistling  through  the 
air,  and  at  times  a  lurid  sheet  of  flame  from  a  brigade  pouring 
in  its  volleys.  There  was  the  flash,  the  cloud  of  dust  wherever 
the  ragged  iron  tore  its  way,  and  the  deafening  report.  I  gladly 
availed  myself  of  whatever  protection  the  breastwork  afforded, 
although  a  solid  shot  would  have  passed  through  the  slight 
embankment  as  readily  as  a  stone  could  be  hurled  through 
chaff".  The  chances  were  as  one  to  several  thousand  of  my 
being  hit,  but  it  is  the  one  chance  which  makes  a  person  wish 
he  were  somewhere  else.  The  Second  Corps  was  smartly  as- 
sailed, but  stood  their  ground  and  became  assailants  in  turn, 
—  not  because  they  obeyed  orders,  but  from  the  impulse  of 
the  men,  who  needed  no  urging.  It  was  a  remarkable  fea- 
ture. The  men  in  that  contest  fought  because  they  wanted  to. 
Gibbons  and  Birney  swung  like  a  double-hinged  door  upon 
Longstreet's  left  flank  and  obtained  possession  of  the  ground 
which  the  Rebels  occupied  at  the  beginning  of  the  engagement. 
It  became  evident  on  Tuesday  morning  that  General  Lee  had 
chosen  Spottsylvania  as  a  place  for  a  trial  of  strength.  Prepara- 
tions were  accordingly  made  for  tlie  work.  General  Grant's 
wounded  impeded  his  movements.  He  decided  to  send  them 
to  Fredei-icksburg.  All  who  could  walk  were  started  on  foot. 
Those  who  could  not,  but  who  did  not  need  ambulances,  were 
placed  in  empty  wagons.  The  long  procession  took  its  wind- 
ing way,  and  other  thousands  of  mangled  forms  were  brought 
in  to  fill  the  empty  places.     It  was  a   sad    sight.     It   made 


iSfU.J 


FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOR. 


823 


me  sick  at  heart,  and  weary  of  war,  and  how  much  more  sick 
and  weary  when  I  thought  of  the  great  iniquity  which  had 
caused  it. 

At  daybreak  the  cannonade  recommenced.  Grant's  guns 
coming  first  into  play.  The  Rebels  for  a  while  remained  in 
silent  indifference  ;  but  as  continued  teasing  rouses  a  wild 
beast's  anger,  so  at  length  they  replied. 

The  air  was  calm,  and  the  reverberation  rolled  far  over  the 
forest.  There  was  constant  skirmishing  through  the  forenoon. 
General  Grant  rode  along  the  lines,  inspected  the  position,  and 
issued  orders  for  a  general  advance  at  five  o'clock ;  but  Lee 
took  the  initiative,  and  through  the  afternoon  the  battle  raged 
with  exceeding  fierceness. 

There  was  nothing  at  Spottsylvania  worthy  of  contention,  — 
no  mountain-pass  or  deep-running  river ;  but  General  Grant 
being  on  his  way  to  Richmond,  adversary,  like  ApoUyon 

assaulting  Christian,  had  come  out  to  meet  him  on  that  spot. 
Lee  had  the  advantage  of  position  and  was  able  to  concentrate 
his  forces.  It  was  about  one  o'clock  when  Longstreet  began  to 
press  Hancock.  There  was  a  hot  engagement  for  an  hour, 
principally  by  Birney's  division  ;  but  failing  to  move  Birney,  an 
attempt  was  made  to  pry  open  still  wider  the  joint  between  the 
Second  and  Fifth  Corps. 

The  relative  positions  of  the  two  armies  will  be  seen  from  the 
following  diagram. 


SPOTTSYLYANIA. 


The  battle  was  fought  in  the  forest,  —  in  the  marshes  along 


324  THE  BOYS   OF   '61. 


[Ma:y, 


the  Ny,--in  ravines,— in  pine-thickets  densely  shaded  with 
the  dark  evergreens  that  shut  out  the  rays  of  the  noonday 
sun,  —  in  open  fields,  wliere  Rebel  batteries  had  full  sweep  and 
play  —  with  shell,  and  grape,  and  canister  —  from  hitrenched 
positions  on  the  hills. 

During  a  lull  in  the  strife  1  visited  the  hospitals.  Suddenly 
the  battle  recommenced  in  greater  fury.  The  wounded  ])egai) 
to  come  in  at  a  fearful  rate.  The  battle  was  drawing  nearer. 
Shells  were  streaming  past  the  hospitals.  There  were  signs  of 
disaster. 

"Are  they  driving  us?"  was  the  eager  inquiry  of  the 
wounded. 

While  the  storm  was  at  its  height,  a  stalwart  soldier  who  had 
just  risen  from  the  amputating-tablo,  where  his  left  arm,  torn 
to  shreds  by  a  cannon-shot,  had  been  severed  above  the  elbow, 
leaning  agahist  the  tent-pole,  sang  the  song  ho  often  had  sung 
in  camp,  — 

"  The  Union  forever  !  Hurrah,  boys  !  hurrah  ! 
Down  with  the  traitor,  up  with  the  star  ; 
While  we  rally  round  the  flag,  boys,  rally  once  again. 
Shouting  the  battle-cry  of  Freedom  !  " 

His  wounded  comrades  heard  it,  and  joined  in  the  cliorus, 
raising  their  arms,  swinging  their  caps,  and  cheering  the  flag 
they  loved.  It  is  one  of  memory's  fadeless  pictures.  Is  it  a 
wonder  that  the  recollection  of  that  scene  somc^times  fills  my 
eyes  with  tears  ? 

The  contest  all  along  the  line  was  terrific.  Even  now,  over 
all  the  intervening  time  and  distance,  I  seem  lo  hear  the  un- 
ceasing rattle  and  roll  of  musketiy  and  cannon,  the  cheer 
of  the  combatants,  the  tramphig  of  horses,  the  explosion  of 
shells,  the  shriek  of  the  rifled  projectile,  the  crasli  tbi-ougli  the 
trees.  It  goes  on  hour  after  liour.  Tlie  ranks  are  tliinnuig. 
The  men  with  stretchers  bring  hi  their  bleeding  burdens,  and 
lay  them  gently  upon  the  ground. 

It  is  past  seven  o'clock.  The  shades  of  evening  are  falling. 
The  hillside  in  front  of  the  Sixth  Corps  is  aflame.  While  the 
uproar  is  wildest  there  is  a  cheer,  sharper  and  louder  than  the 
din  of  the  conflict.  It  is  not  the  savage  war-cry  of  tlie  enemy, 
but  a  buoyan/,  shont.     Into  the  storm  sweeps   the  Vermont 


1864.  J       FROM  THE  RAPID  AN  TO  COLD  HARBOR         326 

brigade,  with  bayonets  firmly  set,  leaping  over  the  Rebel  works, 
and  gathering  hundreds  of  prisoners  from  Dale's  brigade  of 
Rebels.  Ewell  poured  in  reinforcements  to  strengthen  his  line 
and  regain  his  lost  work,  which  was  stubbornly  held  by  the 
Second  Vermont.  Far  in  advance  of  the  main  line  lay  that 
regiment,  pouring  a  deadly  fire  upon  the  enemy.  General 
Wright  (in  command  after  Sedgwick's  death)  sent  to  have 
the  regiment  withdrawn. 

"  We  don't  want  to  go  back!  Give  us  rations  and  ammu- 
nition, and  we  '11  hold  it  for  six  months  if  you  want  us  to," 
was  the  reply. 

General  Wrij>lit  rode  to  General  Grant.  "  What  shall  1 
do  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Pile  in  the  men  and  hold  it !  "  was  the  answer. 

General  Wright  returned,  but  meanwhile  a  subordinate  oflS- 
cer  had  ordered  them  to  retire.  They  were  loath  to  give  up 
what  they  had  won  so  gloriously. 

General  Rice,  commanding  a  brigade  in  the  Fifth  Corps,  was 
wounded,  and  borne  to  the  rear.  The  surgeon  laid  down  his 
knife  after  removing  the  shattered  limb,  and  stood  beside 
him  to  soothe  with  tender  words  in  the  last  dread  hour 
which  was  coming  on  apace.  The  sufferer  could  hear  the 
swelling  tide  of  battle,  the  deepening  rolls  like  waves  upon 
the  ocean  shore.  His  eyes  were  closing.  He  was  approaching 
that  ocean  which  has  no  shore.     His  pain  was  intense. 

"  Turn  me  over,"  said  he,  faintly. 

"  Which  way  ?  " 

"  Let  me  die  with  my  face  to  the  enemy  !  " 

They  were  his  last  words.  A  short  struggle  and  all  was 
ended.  A  Christian  patriot  had  finished  his  work  on  earth, 
and  was  numbered  with  the  heroic  dead. 

The  early  dawn  of  Thursday,  the  12th,  beheld  the  Second 
Corps  in  motion,  —  not  to  flank  the  enemy,  but  moving,  with 
fixed  bayonets,  straight  on  towards  his  intrenchments.  Bar- 
low's and  Birney's  divisions  in  columns  of  battalions,  doubled 
on  the  centre,  to  give  strength  and  firmness,  led  the  assault. 
They  move  silently  through  the  forest,  —  through  the  ravine 
in  front  of  them,  up  to  their  own  skirmish-line,  —  past  it, — 
UD  longer  marching,  but  running  now,  —  dashing  on  with  en- 


326  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

thusiasm  thrilling  every  nerve.  They  sweep  away  the  Rebel 
picket-line  as  if  it  were  a  cobweb.  On  !  into  the  intrench- 
ments  with  a  hurrah  which  startles  the  soldiers  of  both  armies 
from  tlieir  morning  slumbers.  Major-General  Johnson  and 
Brigadier-General  Stewart,  and  three  thousand  men  of  Ewell's 
division  are  taken  prisoners,  eighteen  cannon,  and  twenty-two 
standards  captured. 

It  was  the  work  of  five  minutes,  —  as  sudden  as  the  swoop 
of  an  eagle.  Then  the  uproar  of  the  day  began.  The  second 
line  of  the  enemy's  works  w^s  assaulted  ;  but,  exasperated 
by  their  losses,  the  Rebels  fought  fiercely.  The  Ninth  Corps 
was  moved  up  from  the  left  to  support  the  Second.  Long- 
street,  on  the  other  hand,  was  brought  over  to  help  Ewell. 
The  Fifth  and  Sixth  became  partially  engaged.  There  were 
charges  and  counter-charges.  Positions  were  gained  and  lost. 
From  morning  till  niglit  the  contest  raged  on  the  right,  in  the 
centre,  and  on  the  left,  swaying  to  and  fro  over  the  undula- 
tions and  through  the  ravines.  It  was  a  battle  of  fourteen 
hours'  duration,  —  in  severity,  in  unflinching  determination, 
in  obstinacy,  not  exceeded  by  any  during  the  war.  Between 
forty  and  fifty  pieces  of  artillery  were  at  one  time  in  the  hands 
of  General  Hancock ;  but  owing  to  the  difficulties  of  removal, 
and  the  eiforts  of  the  enemy,  he  could  secure  only  eighteen. 
During  the  day  Grant  advanced  his  lines  a  mile  towards  the 
court-house,  and  repulsed  Lee  in  all  his  counter-attacks. 

During  the  lull  in  the  strife  at  Spottsylvania  I  spent  a  day  in 
Fredericksburg,  visiting  the  hospitals. 

The  city  is  a  vast  hospital ;  churches,  public  buildings,  pri- 
vate dwellings,  stores,  chambers,  attics,  basements,  all  full. 
There  are  thousands  upon  the  sidewalk.  All  day  long  the 
ambulances  have  been  arriving  from  the  field.  There  are  but 
few  wounded  left  at  the  front,  those  only  whom  to  remove  would 
be  certain  death. 

A  red  flag  has  been  flung  out  at  the  Sanitary  Commission 
rooms,  —  a  white  one  at  the  rooms  of  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion. There  are  three  hundred  volunteer  nurses  in  attendance. 
The  Sanitary  Commission  have  fourteen  wagons  bringing  sup- 
plies from  Belle  Plain.  The  Christian  Commission  has  less 
transportation    facilities,   but   in   devotion,   in  hard   work,  in 


THE  SANITARY  COMMISSION   IN   THE  HOSPI.^AL. 


1864.]       FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOR  327 

patient  effort,  it  is  the  compeer  of  its  more  bountifully  sup- 
plied neighbor.  The  nurses  are  divided  into  details,  some  for 
day  service,  some  for  night  work.  Each  State  has  its  Relief 
Committee. 

How  patient  the  brave  fellows  are !  Not  a  word  of  com- 
plaint, but  thanks  for  the  slightest  favor.  Tliere  was  a  lack 
of  crutches.  I  saw  an  old  soldier  of  the  California  regiment, 
wiio  fought  with  the  lamented  Baker  at  Ball's  Bluff,  and  who 
had  been  in  more  than  twenty  battles,  hobbling  about  with  the 
arms  of  a  settee  nailed  to  strips  of  board.  His  regiment  was 
on  its  way  home,  its  three  years  of  service  having  expired.  It 
was  reduced  to  a  score  or  two  of  weather-beaten,  battle-scarred 
veterans.  The  disabled  comrade  could  hardly  keep  back  the 
tears  as  he  saw  them  pass  down  the  street.  "  Few  of  us  left. 
The  bones  of  the  boys  are  on  every  battle-field  where  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  has  fought,"  said  he. 

There  was  the  sound  of  the  pick  and  spade  in  the  church- 
yard, a  heaving-up  of  new  earth,  —  a  digging  of  trenches,  not 
for  defence  against  the  enemy,  but  for  the  last  resting-place  of 
departed  heroes.  There  they  lie,  each  wrapped  in  his  blanket, 
the  last  bivouac  !  For  them  there  is  no  more  war,  —  no 
charges  into  the  thick,  leaden  rain-drops, — no  more  hurrahs, 
no  more  cheering  for  the  dear  old  flag !  They  have  fallen,  but 
the  victory  is  theirs,  —  theirs  the  roll  of  eternal  honor.  Side 
by  side,  —  men  from  Massachusetts,  from  Pennsylvania,  and 
from  Wisconsin,  —  from  all  the  States,  resting  in  one  common 
grave.  Peace  to  them!  blessings  on  the  dear  ones, — wives, 
mothers,  children  whom  they  have  left  behind. 

Go  into  the  hospitals ;  —  armless,  legless  men,  wounds  of 
every  description.  Men  on  the  floor,  on  the  hard  seats  of 
church-pews,  lying  in  one  position  all  day,  unable  to  move  till 
the  nurse,  going  the  rounds,  gives  them  aid.  They  must  wait 
till  their  food  comes.  Some  must  be  fed  with  a  spoon,  for  they 
are  as  helpless  as  little  children. 

"  0  that  we  could  get  some  straw  for  the  brave  fellows," 
said  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kimball,  of  the  Christian  Commission.  He 
had  wandered  about  town,  searching  for  the  article. 

"  There  is  none  to  be  had.  We  shall  have  to  send  to  Wash- 
ington for  it,"  said  the  surgeon  in  charge. 


828  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

"  Straw !  I  remember  two  stacKs,  four  miies  out  on  the 
Spottsylvania  road.  I  saw  them  last  night  as  I  galloped  in 
from  the  front." 

Armed  with  a  requisition  from  the  Provost  Marshal  to  seize 
two  stacks  of  straw,  with  two  wagons  driven  by  freedmen,  ac- 
companied by  four  Christian  Commission  delegates,  away  we 
went  across  the  battle-field  of  December,  fording  Hazel  Run, 
gaining  the  heights,  and  reaching  the  straw  stacks  owned  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Owen,  a  bitter  Rebel. 

"  By  whose  authority  do  you  take  my  property  ?  " 

"  The  Provost  Marshal,  sir." 

"  Are  you  going  to  pay  me  for  it  ?  " 

"  You  must  see  the  Provost  Marshal,  sir.  If  you  are  a  loyal 
man,  and  will  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  doubtless  you  will 
get  your  pay  when  we  have  put  down  the  Rebellion." 

"  It  is  pretty  hard.  My  children  are  just  ready  to  starve.  I 
have  nothing  for  them  to  eat,  and  you  come  to  take  my  prop- 
erty without  paying  for  it." 

"  Yes,  sir,  war  is  hard.  You  must  remember,  sir,  that  there 
are  thousands  of  wounded  men,  —  your  Rebel  wounded  as  well 
as  ours.  If  your  children  are  on  the  point  of  starving,  those 
men  are  on  the  point  of  dying.  We  must  have  the  straw  for 
them.  What  we  don't  take  to-night  we  will  get  in  the  morning. 
Meanwhile,  sir,  if  anybody  attempts  to  take  it,  please  say  to 
them  that  it  is  for  the  hospital,  and  they  can't  have  it." 

Thus  with  wagons  stuffed,  we  leave  Rev.  Mr.  Owen  and  re- 
turn to  make  glad  the  hearts  of  several  thousand  men.  0  how 
they  thank  us ! 

"  Did  you  get  it  for  me  ?     God  bless  you,  sir." 

It  is  evening.  Thousands  of  soldiers  just  arrived  from  Wash- 
ington have  passed  through  the  town  to  take  their  places  in  the 
front.     The  hills  around  are  white  with  iiinumerable  tents. 

A  band  is  playing  lively  airs  to  cheer  the  wounded  in  the 
hospitals.  I  have  been  looking  in  to  see  the  sufferers.  Two 
or  three  have  gone  to  their  long  home.  They  will  need  no 
more  attention.  A  surgeon  is  at  work  upon  a  ghastly  wound, 
taking  up  the  arteries.  An  attendant  is  pouring  cold  water 
upon  a  swollen  limb.  In  the  Episcopal  church  a  nurse  is 
bolstering  up  a  wounded  officer  in  the  area  behind  the  altar. 


1864.]  FROM  THE   RAProAN   TO   COLD   HARBOR.  829 

Men  are  lying  in  the  pews,  on  the  seats,  on  the  floor,  on  boards 
on  top  of  the  pews. 

Two  candles  in  the  spacious  building  throw  their  feeble  rays 
into  the  dark  recesses,  faintly  disclosing  the  recumbent  forms. 
There  is  heavy,  stifled  breathing,  as  of  constant  efibrt  to  su}.)- 
press  cries  extorted  by  acutest  pain. 

Passing  into  the  street  you  see  a  group  of  women,  talking 
about  our  wounded,  —  Rebel  wounded,  who  are  receiving  their 
especial  devotion.  The  Provost  Marshal's  patrol  is  going  itL' 
rounds  to  preserve  order. 

Starting  down  the  street,  you  reach  the  rooms  of  the  Christian 
Commission.  Some  of  the  men  are  writing  letters  for  the  sol 
diers,  some  eating  their  night-rations,  some  dispensing  supplies. 
Passing  through  the  rooms,  you  gain  the  grounds  in  the  rear, 
—  a  beautiful  garden  once,  —  not  unattractive  now.  The  air 
is  redolent  with  honeysuckle  and  locust  blossoms.  The  pruni- 
folia  is  unfolding  its  delicate  milk-white  petals  ;  roses  are  open- 
ing their  tinted  leaves. 

Fifty  men  are  gathered  round  a  summer-house,  —  warm- 
hearted men,  who  have  been  all  day  in  the  hospitals.  Their 
hearts  have  been  wrung  by  the  scenes  of  suffering,  in  the  exer- 
cise of  Christian  charity,  imitating  the  example  of  the  Redeemer 
of  men.  They  have  dispensed  food  for  the  body  and  nourish- 
ment for  the  soul.  They  have  given  cups  of  cold  water  in  the 
name  of  Jesus,  and  prayed  with  those  departing  to  the  Silent 
Land.  The  moonlight  shimmers  through  the  leaves  of  the 
locusts,  as  they  meet  at  that  evening  hour  to  worship  God 

The  little  congregation  breaks  into  singing,  — 

"  Come,  thou  fount  of  every  blessing." 

After  the  hymn,  a  chaplain  says,  "  Brethren,  I  had  service 
this  afternoon  in  the  First  Division  hospital  of  the  Second  Corps. 
The  surgeon  in  charge,  before  prayer,  asked  all  who  desired  to 
be  prayed  for  to  raise  their  hands,  and  nearly  every  man  who 
had  a  hand  raised  it.  Let  us  remember  them  in  our  prayers 
to-night." 

A  man  in  the  summer-house,  so  far  ofi"  that  I  cannot  dis- 
tinguish him,  says,  — 

"  Every  man  in  the  Second  Division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  hos- 
pital raised  his  hand  for  prayers  to-night." 


330  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

There  are  earnest  supplications  that  God  will  bless  them; 
that  they  may  have  patience  ;  that  Jesus  will  pillow  their  heads 
upon  his  breast,  relieve  their  sufferings,  soothe  their  sorrowb, 
wipe  away  all  their  tears,  heal  their  wounds;  that  ho  will 
remember  the  Avidow  and  the  fatherless,  far  aw^^y,  moaning 
for  the  loved  and  lost. 
Another  hymn,  — 

"  Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul, 
Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly," 

and  the  delegates  rotiirn  to  their  work  of  mercy 

At  Spottsylvania  there  were  constant  skirmishing  and  artil- 
lery-firing through  the  13th,  and  a  moving  of  the  army  from 
the  north  to  the  east  of  the  Court-House.  A  rain-storm  set  in. 
The  roads  became  heavy,  and  a  contemplated  movement  —  a 
s\idden  flank  attack  —  was  necessarily  abandoned. 

There  was  a  severe  skirmish  on  the  14th,  incessant  picket- 
firing  on  the  15th,  and  on  the  16th  another  engagement  all 
along  the  line,  —  not  fought  with  the  fierceness  of  that  of  the 
12th,  but  lasting  through  the  forenoon,  and  resulting  in  the 
taking  of  a  line  of  rifle-pits  from  the  enemy. 

On  Wednesday,  the  18th,  there  was  an  assault  upon  Lee's 
outer  line  of  works.  Two  lines  of  rifle-pits  were  carried  ;  but 
an  impassable  abatis  prevented  farther  advance,  and  after  a  six 
hours'  struggle  the  troops  were  withdrawn. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  19th  Ewell  gained  the  rear  of  Grant's 
right  flank,  and  came  suddenly  upon  Tyler's  division  of  heavy 
artillery,  armed  as  infantry,  just  arrived  upon  the  field.  Though 
surprised,  they  held  the  enemy  in  check,  forced  him  back,  and 
with  aid  from  the  Second  Corps  compelled  him  to  retreat  with 
great  loss.  This  attack  was  made  to  cover  Lee's  withdrawal  to 
iho  North  Aima.     His  troops  were  already  on  the  march. 

Grant  was  swift  to  follow. 

It  is  a  two  days'  march  from  Spottsylvania  to  the  North 
Anna.  The  crossings  of  the  Mattapony  were  held  by  Rebel 
cavalry,  which  was  quickly  driven.  Then  came  the  gallant 
crossing  of  the  Fifth  Corps  at  Jericho  Ford,  the  irresistible 
charge  of  Birney  and  Barlow  of  the  Second  Corps  at  Taylor's 
Bridge,  the  sweeping-in  of  five  hundred  prisoners,  the  severe 
engagements  lasting  three  days, — all  memorable  events,  worthy 
of  prominence  in  a  full  history  of  the  campaign. 


1864.] 


FBOM  THE  BAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HABBOB. 


331 


The  North  Anna  is  a  rapid  stream,  with  high  hanks.  East  of 
Taylor's  bridge,  towards  Sexton's  Junction,  there  is  an  exten- 
sive swamp,  but  westward  tlie  country  is  rolling.  It  was  sup- 
posed that  Lee  would  make  a  stubborn  resistance  at  the  cross- 
ings, but  at  Jericho  Warren  found  only  a  few  pickets  upon  tlio 
southern  bank.  A  pontoon  was  laid  and  two  divisions  sent 
over;  but  moving  towards  the  railroad  a  mile,  they  encoun- 
tered Hood's  and  Pickett's  divisions  of  Ewell's  corps.  The 
cannonade  was  heavy  and  the  musketry  sharp,  mainly  between 
Cutler's  command  and  Ewell's,  lasting  till  dark. 

It  is  about  two  miles  from  Jericho  crossing  to  the  railroad, 
the  point  for  which  the  right  wing  was  aiming. 

"  I  reckon  that  our  troops  did  n't  expect  you  to  come  this 
way,"  said  Mr.  Quarles,  a  citizen  residing  on  the  north  bank, 
with  whom  I  found  accommodation  for  the  night. 

"  I  suppose  you  did  n't  expect  Grant  to  get  this  side  of  tlio 
Wilderness  ? " 

"  We  heard  that  he  was  retreating  towards  Fredericksburg," 
was  the  response. 

He  was  the  owner  of  a  saw-mill.  Timber  was  wanted  for  tbo 
construction  of  a  bridge.  His  mill  was  out  of  repair,  but  tlicre 
were  men  in  the  Union  army  accustomed  to  run  saw-mills,  and 
an  hour  was  sufficient  to  put  the  machinery  in  order  for  the 
manufacture  of  lumber.  It  was  amusing  to  see  tlio  s^oldicrs 
lay  down  their  guns,  take  up  the  crowbar,  roll  the  logs  into  tlic 
mill,  adjust  the  saw,  hoist  the  gate,  and  sit  upon  the  log  wliilo 


832  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [May, 

tlie  saw  WLis  cutting  its  way.     The  owner  of  the  mill  looked  on 
in  disgust,  as  his  lumber  was  thus  freely  handled 

In  the  first  advance  from  Jericho  bridge,  the  force  was  re- 
pulsed. The  Rebels  of  Ewell's  command  came  on  with  con- 
fidence, to  drive  the  retreating  troops  into  the  river ;  but 
Warren  had  taken  the  precaution  to  place  his  smooth-bore  guns 
on  a  hillock,  south  of  the  stream,  while  his  rifled  pieces  were  on 
tin;  north  side,  in  position,  to  give  a  cross-fire  with  the  smooth- 
bores. When  the  Rebels  came  within  reach  of  this  concentrated 
fire  they  were  almost  instantly  checked.  It  was  no  time  to 
rusli  on,  or  to  stand  still  and  deliberate ;  they  fled,  uncovering 
the  railroad,  to  which  the  Sixth  advanced,  tearing  up  the  track 
and  Inimhig  the  depot.  In  the  centre,  the  Ninth  Corps  had  a 
severe  fight,  resulting  in  considerable  loss. 

It  is  two  miles  from  Jericho  bridge  to  Carmel  Church,  which 
stands  in  a  beautiful  grove  of  oaks.  While  the  troops  were 
resting  beneath  tlie  trees,  waiting  for  the  order  to  move,  a  chap- 
lain entered  the  church  and  proposed  to  hold  religious  service 

The  soldiers  manifested  their  pleasure,  kneeled  reverentlj 
during  the  prayer,  and  listened  with  tearful  eyes  to  the  ex 
hortations  which  followed. 

Tt  was  inspiring  to  hear  them  sing, 

"  Come,  sing  to  me  of  heaven, 
When  I  'm  about  to  die ; 
Sing  songs  of  holy  ecstasy, 
To  waft  my  soul  on  high." 

At  dark  on  the  evening  of  the  25th  of  May,  I  rode  along  the 
lines  of  the  Second  Corps  to  take  a  look  at  the  Rebels.  There 
was  a  steady  fire  of  artillery.  One  battery  of  the  Rebels  had 
full  sweep  of  the  plain,  and  the  shells  were  flying  merrily.  A 
thunder-storm  was  rising.  The  lightning  was  vivid  and  inces- 
sant. My  head-quarters  for  the  night  were  to  be  with  a  sur- 
geon attached  to  the  First  Division  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  several 
miles  distant.  The  dense  black  clouds  rising  in  the  west  made 
the  night  intensely  dark,  except  when  the  lightning-flashes 
gleamed  along  the  sky.  It  was  a  scene  of  sublime  grandeur  : 
heaven's  artillery  in  play,  —  the  heavy  peals  of  thunder,  min- 
gling with  the  roar  of  the  battle-field !  After  an  hour's  ride 
til  rough  pine  thickets,  over  old  corn-fields,  half-blinded  by  the 


BAYONET   CHARGB 


1864.]       FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOR.  338 

lightning,  I  reached  the  quarters  of  my  friend  the  surgeon, 
whose  tent  was  just  then  being  packed  into  the  wagon  for  a 
night  march  to  a  new  position.  The  storm  was  close  at  hand, 
and  together  we  fled  for  shelter  to  a  neighboring  cabin.  I  had 
barely  time  to  fasten  my  horse  and  enter  the  door  before  the 
storm  was  upon  us. 

The  house  was  built  of  logs,  chinked  with  mud,  contained 
two  rooms  about  fifteen  feet  square,  and  was  occupied  by  a'  col- 
ored family. 

Others  had  fled  for  shelter  to  the  hospitable  roof.  I  found 
congregated  there  for  the  night  nine  surgeons,  three  hospital 
nurses,  a  delegate  of  the  Christian  Commission,  two  soldiers, 
two  colored  women,  a  colored  man,  three  children.  The  colored 
people  had  taken  their  only  pig  into  the  house,  to  save  the 
animal  from  being  killed  by  the  soldiers,  and  had  tied  it  to 
the  bed-post.  Their  poultry  —  half  a  dozen  fowls  —  was  im- 
prisoned under  a  basket.  The  rain  fell  in  torrents  throughout 
the  night.  Finding  a  place  under  the  table  for  my  head,  with 
my  overcoat  for  a  pillow,  and  thrusting  my  legs  under  the  bed 
which  was  occupied  by  three  surgeons,  I  passed  the  night,  and 
thought  myself  much  more  highly  favored  than  the  forty  or  fifty 
who  came  to  the  door,  but  only  to  find  a  full  hotel. 

Instead  of  trying  to  walk  over  the  obstacle  in  his  path.  Grant 
decided  to  go  round  it.  Stealing  a  march  upon  Lee,  he  moved 
suddenly  southeast,  crossed  the  Pamunkey  at  Hanover  Town, 
opened  a  new  base  of  supplies  at  White  House,  forcing  Lee  to 
fall  back  on  the  Chickahominy. 

On  Sunday,  the  29th,  a  great  cavalry  engagement  took  place 
at  Hawes's  shop,  west  of  Hanover  Town,  in  which  Sheridan 
drove  the  Rebels  back  upon  Bethesda  Church.  The  army 
came  into  position  on  the  30th,  its  right  towards  Hanover 
Court-House.  Lee  was  already  in  position,  and  during  the 
day  there  was  firing  all  along  the  line.  All  the  corps  were 
engaged.  The  Second  Corps  by  the  Shelton  House,  by  a  bayo- 
net-charge pushed  the  enemy  from  the  outer  line  of  works 
which  he  had  thrown  up,  while  the  Fifth  Corps  rolled  back, 
with  terrible  slaughter,  the  mass  of  men  which  came  upon  its 
flank  and  front  at  Bethesda  Church.  At  Cold  Harbor,  the 
Sixth,  joined  by  the  Eighteenth  Army  Corps,  under  Major- 


834 


THE   BOYS    OF  '61. 


[June, 


General  W.  F.  Smith,  from  Bermuda  Hundred,  met  Longstreei 
and  Breckenridge,  and  troops  from  Beauregard.  Sheridan  had 
seized  this  important  point,  —  important  because  of  the  junc- 
tion of  roads,  —  and  held  it  against  cavalry  and  infantry  till 
the  arrival  of  the  Fifth  and  Eighteenth.  The  point  secured, 
a  new  line  of  battle  was  formed  on  the  1st  of  June  The 
Ninth  held  the  right  of  Bethesda  Church ;  the  Fifth  was  south 
of  the  church,  joining  the  Eighteenth ;  the  Sixth  held  the  road 
from  Cold  Harbor  to  Gaines's  Mills ;  while  the  Second  was 
thrown  out  on  the  left,  on  the  road  leading  to  Despatch  Sta- 
tion and  the  Chickahominy. 

In  the  campaign  of  1862,  Cold  Harbor  was  General  McClel- 
lan's  head-quarters  while  he  was  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
Chickahominy,  and  Jackson,  when  he  advanced  to  attack  Fitz 
John  Porter,  marched  down  the  road  over  which  Grant  moved, 
to  that  locality.  It  is  a  place  of  one  house,  —  an  old  tavern 
standing  at  a  crossing  of  roads,  twelve  miles  from  Richmond. 
The  most  direct  route  to  the  city  runs  past  Gaines's  Mills,  where 
the  first  of  the  series  of  battles  was  fought  before  Richmond,  in 
the  seven  days'  contest.  Jackson's  head-quarters  were  at  Cold 
Harbor  during  that  engagement. 

The  general  position  of  the  two  armies  in  Grant's  battles  at 
Cold  Harbor  is  indicated  by  the  accompanying  diagram. 


v/ 

/ 

^ 

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P iBETMESOA 
CHURCH 

k 

^jlONOSTRSfr 

cW 

/~^ 

H 

NILI^ 

^^ 

p 

^^ 

^^ 

r  eOXiD  HARBOR. 

"^ 

\j 

-"^W 

1864.]       FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOB.  836 

A  huge  catalpa  stands  in  front  of  the  old  tavern,  where  ir. 
the  peaceful  days  of  the  Old  Dominion  travellers  rested  their 
horses  beneath  the  grateful  shade,  while  they  drank  their  toddy 
at  the  tavern  bar.  Two  great  battles  were  fought  there  by 
Grant,  the  first  in  the  evening  of  the  1st  of  June,  the  second 
on  the  evening  of  the  3d. 

There  is  a  line  of  breastworks  west  of  the  house,  a  few  rods 
distant,  behind  which  Russell's  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  is 
lying.  The  road  to  Despatch  Station  runs  due  south  ;  the  road 
to  New  Cold  Harbor  southwest,  the  road  to  Bethesda  Church 
northwest.  In  the  battle  fought  on  the  1st  instant,  Neil  was 
east  of  the  road  leading  to  Despatch  Station,  Russell  west  of 
the  house,  and  Ricketts  northwest. 

Passing  toward  the  right  one  mile,  we  come  to  the  house  of 
Daniel  Woody,  which  is  in  rear  of  the  riglit  of  the  line  of  the 
Eighteenth.  It  is  the  head-quarters  of  General  Martindale, 
who  commands  the  right  division  of  the  line.  Next  is  Brooks's 
division  in  the  centre,  with  Devens  on  the  left,  connecting  with 
Ricketts' s  on  the  right  of  the  Sixth. 

There  is  a  clear  space  west  of  Woody' s  house,  a  corn-field 
lately  planted,  but  now  trodden  by  the  feet  of  Martindale's 
men.  In  front  of  Brooks  there  is  a  gentle  swell  of  land, 
wooded  with  pines.  On  the  crest  of  the  hill  there  is  a  line  of 
Rebel  rifle-pits.  In  front  of  Devens  the  swell  is  smoothed  to  a 
plain,  or  rather  there  is  a  depression,  as  if  the  hillock  had  been 
scooped  out  of  the  plain.  This  also  is  wooded.  The  belt  of 
timber  stretches  over  the  plain,  crossing  the  road  to  Gaines's 
Mill,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  tavern,  —  a  dark  strip  of  green 
twenty  or  thirty  rods  in  width.  Beyond  the  belt  toward  Rich- 
mond is  a  smooth  field,  half  a  mile  in  width,  bounded  on  the 
farther  edge,  under  the  shadow  of  another  belt  of  green,  by 
the  line  of  Beauregard's  breastworks.  The  line  of  Rebel  de- 
fence runs  diagonally  to  the  road,  the  distance  being  less 
between  Ricketts  and  the  work  than  on  the  left  in  front  of 
Neil.  This  plain  is  swept  by  Rebel  cannon  and  tliousands 
of  rifles  and  muskets. 

It  was  past  six  o'clock  —  nearly  seven  —  before  the  troopp 
were  in  position  to  move  upon  the  enemy's  works.  They 
marched  through  the  woods,  emerged  upon  the  open  field 


336  THE  BOYS  OF  '61  [June, 

The  Rebel  batteries  opened  with  redoubled  fury,  but  the  line 
advanced  steadily.  Devens  found  the  depression  in  front  of 
him  almost  a  marsli,  with  trees  felled,  forming  an  abatis ;  but 
his  men  passed  through,  and  again  came  into  line.  Burn- 
ham's  brigade,  of  Brooks's  division,  containing  the  Tenth  and 
Thirteenth  New  Hampshire,  Eighth  Connecticut,  and  One 
Hundred  and  Eighteenth  New  York,  charged  up  the  hill  in 
front,  and  took  the  rifle-pits  above  them.  Ricketts,  having  less 
distance  to  advance  than  the  other  divisions  of  the  Sixth,  was 
soonest  in  the  fight,  sweeping  all  before  him.  Before  the  Rebels 
could  reload  their  pieces  after  the  first  volley  the  bayonets  of  the 
advancing  columns,  gleaming  in  the  light  of  the  setting  sun, 
were  at  their  throats.  Half  a  brigade  was  taken  prisoners, 
while  the  rest  of  the  Rebels  m  front  of  Ricketts  fled  in  disorder. 

Russell  moving  along  the  road  received  an  enfilading  fire 
from  artillery  and  musketry.  The  Rebels  having  recovered 
from  their  panic,  held  on  with  stubbornness.  The  broad  plain 
over  which  Russell  moved  was  fringed  with  fire.  From  dark 
till  past  ten  o'clock  Breckenridge  tried  in  vain  to  recover  what 
he  had  lost. 

The  loss  was  severe  to  us  in  killed  and  wounded.  But  it 
was  a  victory,  so  signal  that  a  congratulatory  order  was  issued 
by  General  Meade  to  the  Sixth  Corps. 

Lying  beneath  the  ever-moaning  pines,  with  the  star-lit 
heavens  for  a  tent,  I  listened  to  the  sounds  of  the  battle, — 
steady,  monotonous,  like  the  surf  on  the  beach.  An  hour's 
sleep,  and  still  it  was  rolling  in.  But  all  things  must  have  an 
end.  Near  midnight  it  died  away,  and  there  was  only  the 
chirping  of  the  cricket,  the  unvarying  note  of  the  whip-poor- 
will,  and  the  wind  swaying  the  stately  trees  around  me. 
Peaceful  all  around;  but  ah!  beyond  those  forest  belts  were 
the  sufiering  heroes,  parched  with  thirst,  fevered  with  the 
fight,  bleeding  for  their  country.  How  shall  we  thank  them  ? 
How  shall  we  reward  them?  What  estimate  shall  we  place 
upon  their  work  ?  0  friends,  as  you  recall  this  sacrifice,  let 
your  hearts  warm  with  devotion  to  your  country.  Do  honor 
to  the  noble  dead,  and  forget  not  the  living,  —  the  widcw  and 
the  fatherless. 

The  battle  of  the  3d  of  June  was  obstinate  and  bloody,  and 


1864.1       FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOR.  837 

resulted  in  great  loss  to  Grant.  The  artillery  firing  was  con- 
stant through  the  forenoon,  but  Lee  was  too  strongly  en- 
trenched to  be  driven. 

As  soon  as  there  was  a  lull  in  the  roar  of  battle,  I  improved 
the  opportunity  to  visit  the  hospitals.  There  were  long  lines 
of  ambulances  bringing  in  the  wounded,  who  were  laid  beneath 
the  trees.  Unconscious  men  were  upon  the  tables,  helpless 
in  the  hands  of  the  surgeons,  —  to  wake  from  a  dreamlese 
sleep  with  a  limb  gone,  a  bleoding  stump  of  a  leg  or  arm. 
Horrid  the  gashes  where  jagged  iron  had  cut  through  the  flesh, 
severing  arteries  and  tendons  in  an  instant.  Heads,  hands,  legs, 
and  arms  mangled  and  dripping  with  blood,  —  human  blood  ! 
There  were  moans,  low  murmurings,  wrenched  from  the  men 
against  their  wills.  Men  were  babbling,  in  their  delirium,  of 
other  scenes,  —  dim  recollections,  which  were  momentary  re- 
alities. To  be  with  them  and  not  do  for  them,  —  to  see  suffer- 
ing without  power  to  alleviate,  — gives  painful  tension  to  nerves, 
even  though  one  may  be  familiar  with  scenes  of  carnage. 

I  turned  from  the  scene  all  but  ready  to  say,  "  Anything  to 
stay  this  terrible  destruction  of  human  life."  But  there  were 
other  thoughts,  —  of  retributive  justice,  —  of  sighs  and  groans, 
scourged  backs,  broken  hearts,  partings  of  mothers  from  their 
children,  —  the  coffle  train,  and  the  various  horrors  of  the 
accursed  system  of  slavery,  the  cause  of  all  this  "  wounding 
and  hurt."  I  remembered  that  it  was  a  contest  between 
eternal  right  and  infernal  wrong ;  that  He  who  is  of  infinite 
love  and  tenderness  in  His  war  against  rebellion,  spared  not  his 
only  begotten  Son ;  —  and  thus  consoled  and  strengthened,  I 
could  wish  the  contest  to  go  on  till  victory  should  crown  our 
efforts,  and  a  permanent  peace  be  the  inheritance  of  our  chil 
dren. 

At  Cold  Harbor  the  abilities  of  Lee,  McClellan,  and  Grant 
as  commanders  have  been  exhibited.  Lee's  head-quarters 
during  the  battle  of  Gaines's  Mills  were  at  New  Cold  Harbor, 
but  during  the  afternoon  he  rode  over  to  the  old  tavern  and 
had  a  talk  with  Jackson.  That  battle  was  won  by  Lee  after  a 
hard  struggle,  not  through  any  lack  of  courage  on  the  part  of 
the  Union  troops,  but  through  McClellan's  want  of  general 
ship      McClellan  was  ever  taking  counsel  of  his  fears.     Hv 

22 


838  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June^ 

uniformly  overestimated  the  numbers  of  the  enemy.  When 
Lee  advanced  to  Miinson's  Hill,  near  Alexandria,  in  October, 
1861,  his  army  did  not  exceed  sixty  thousand,  but  McClellan 
estimated  it  at  "  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand,  well  drilled, 
equipped,  ably  commanded,  and  strongly  entrenched."  *  In 
March,  1862,  when  Lee  evacuated  Manassas,  his  estimate  of 
the  Rebel  army  was  one  hundred  and  fifteen  thousand,  while 
the  actual  strength  was  less  than  fifty  thousand.  "  It  seems 
clear  that  I  shall  have  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy  on  my 
hands,  probably  not  less  than  one  hundred  thousand,  and  prob- 
ably more,"  wrote  McClellan  to  the  Secretary  of  War  upon  his 
arrival  at  Yorktown. 

Magruder  commanded  the  Rebels  at  Yorktown.  "  My  whole 
force,"  says  he,  "  was  less  than  eleven  thousand."  f 

The  day  before  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  McClellan's  esti- 
mate of  Lee's  army  was  two  hundred  thousand. |  His  own 
force,  sick  and  well,  on  the  20th,  was  one  hundred  and  seven- 
teen thousand.  He  had  present  and  fit  for  duty  on  the  day  of 
battle  from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  five  thousand. 
Lee's  force  was  two  or  three  thousand  less. 

McClellan  knew  very  little  of  Lee's  army.  He  intrusted 
the  management  of  the  secret  service  to  two  French  princes, 
who,  however  estimable  they  might  be  as  individuals,  had  a 
superficial  acquaintance  with  the  English  language,  who  knew 
but  little  of  America  or  Americans,  —  whose  geographical 
knowledge  of  the  country  in  which  the  war  was  being  carried 
on  was  less  than  that  of  the  scholars  of  a  New  England  gram- 
mar school,  —  who  were  wanting  in  the  lawyer-like  qualifica- 
tions necessary  to  separating  the  true  from  the  false  in  the 
stories  of  deserters,  scouts,  and  spies.  So  inefficient  was  the 
secret  service  that  McClellan  had  no  information  of  Lee's 
movements  or  intentions  till  Jackson  was  at  Ashland,  within 
a  few  hours'  march  of  Cold  Harbor.  When  he  saw  that  he 
was  to  be  attacked,  he  moved  his  own  head-quarters  to  the 
south  side,  making  no  efibrt  to  win  the  battle,  thinking  only  of 
a  retreat  to  the  James. 

A  general  who  wins  a  battle  through  the  blundering  of  an 

*  McClellan's  Report,  p.  46.  |  McClellan's  Report,  p.  238. 

t  Magruder's  Report. 


1864.]       FROM  THE  RAPEDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOR.         339 

inefficient  opponent  cannot  be  called,  on  that  account  alone,  a 
great  commander.  There  must  be  genius  in  movements,  in 
making  use  of  positions  and  forces,  so  that  victory  is  wrenched 
from  a  skilful  foe,  to  entitle  a  commander  to  wear  the  bay 
leaves  upon  his  brow. 

McClellan's  army  was  divided  by  the  Chickahominy.  He 
had  about  thirty  thousand  men  on  the  north  bank  and  seventy 
five  thousand  on  the  south  side.  Lee  submitted  a  plan  to  Jeff 
Davis,  which  was  accepted,  by  which  he  hoped  to  destroy  that 
portion  of  McClellan's  force  on  the  north  bank.  Whiting's 
and  Ewell's  divisions  were  put  on  board  the  cars  and  sent  up 
the  Virginia  Central  Railroad  to  Gordonsville,  as  if  to  join 
Jackson  in  the  Shenandoah,  or  for  a  march  on  Washington, 
but  Jackson  was  on  his  way  towards  Richmond.  He  com- 
manded the  united  force,  amounting  to  thirty  thousand.  He 
moved  down  to  Ashland.  A  deserter  informed  McClellan  at 
Cold  Harbor  that  Jackson  would  attack  him  on  the  28th.* 
Negroes  came  in  on  the  nexi  day  who  said  that  Jackson  was 
at  Hanover  Court-House.  McClellan's  line  was  twenty  miles 
long.  His  extreme  right  was  north  of  Richmond,  at  Mechan- 
icsville ;  his  left  was  southeast  of  the  city,  resting  on  White 
Oak  Swamp.  McClellan  could  have  reinforced  Porter,  and 
defeated  Lee,  or  he  could  have  withdrawn  him  to  the  south 
bank,  and  pushed  into  Richmond,  but  he  left  Porter  to  contend 
with  Lee's  entire  army,  except  Magruder's  command  of  about 
twenty  thousand  men,t  while  he  burned  his  supplies,  destroyed 
the  railroad,  and  made  ready  to  march  to  the  James.  Porter 
held  his  ground  till  nearly  night,  calling  for  reinforcements. 
Had  a  division  been  sent  him  at  the  right  time,  Lee  would  have 
suffered  a  terrible  defeat.  Slocum,  of  Franklin's  corps,  was 
sent  over  when  too  late  to  be  of  essential  service.  Jackson 
extended  his  left  south  from  the  old  tavern,  and  fell  upon 
Porter's  right  flank,  and  drove  the  Union  troops,  but  every- 
where else  Lee  was  repulsed  with  great  loss.  His  entire  loss 
m  that  battle  was  about  nine  thousand  and  five  hundred, 
McClellan's   about  four  thousand. 

Lee  moved  out  from  Richmond  when  Jackson  was  at  Han- 


McClellan's  Report.  t  Pollard,  First  Year,  p.  329. 


840  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

over  Court-House.  Branch's  division  marched  up  the  Brooke 
turnpike,  A.  P.  Hill  moved  over  the  Mechanicsville  turnpike, 
Longstreet  and  D.  H.  Hill  by  the  New  Bridge  road.  McClel- 
lan  was  informed  of  the  movement.  Here  was  his  golden 
opportunity.  By  throwing  nearly  his  entire  army  north  of 
the  Chickahominy,  he  could  have  met  Lee  outside  of  his  en 
trenchments,  or  he  could  have  withdrawn  Porter  and  made  a 
rush  upon  the  city.  Lee  expected  to  meet  the  whole  Union 
army  at  Cold  Harbor,  and  in  the  battle  supposed  he  was  fight- 
ing McClellan's  main  force. 

"  The  principal  part  of  the  enemy  was  on  the  north  side," 
says  Lee  in  his  report.  It  is  evident  that  in  his  plan  he  calcu- 
lated that  McClellan  would  not  risk  a  battle  with  a  divided 
army,  and  he  therefore  left  but  a  small  force  to  hold  Rich- 
mond. Magruder  on  the  other  hand,  saw  the  danger  to  the 
city.     Says  Magruder :  — 

*'  From  the  time  at  which  the  enemy  withdrew  his  forces  to  this  side 
of  the  Chickahominy,  and  destroyed  the  bridges,  to  the  moment  of  his 
evacuation,  —  that  is,  from  Friday  night  until  Sunday  morning,  —  I 
considered  the  situation  of  our  army  extremely  critical  and  perilous. 
The  larger  portion  of  it  was  on  either  side  of  the  Chickahominy,  the 
bridges  had  all  been  destroyed,  and  but  one  was  rebuilt,  the  New 
Bridge,  which  was  fully  commanded  by  the  enemy's  guns  at  Golding's  ; 
and  there  were  but  twenty-five  thousand  men  between  his  army  and 
Richmond.  I  received  repeated  instructions  during  Saturday  night  from 
General  Lee's  head-quarters,  enjoining  upon  my  command  the  utmost 
vigilance,  directing  the  men  to  sleep  on  their  arms,  to  be  prepared  for 
whatever  might  occur.  I  passed  the  night  without  sleep,  and  in  the 
superintendence  of  their  execution.  Had  McClellan  massed  his  whole 
force  in  column,  and  advanced  it  against  any  point  of  our  line  of  bat- 
tle, as  was  done  at  Austerlitz  by  the  greatest  captain  of  any  age,  though 
the  head  of  his  column  would  have  sufiered  greatly,  its  momentum 
would  have  insured  him  success,  and  the  occupation  of  our  works  about 
Richmond,  and  consequently  the  city  might  have  been  his  reward.  Our 
relief  was  therefore  great  when  information  reached  us  that  the  enemy 
had  evacuated  his  works  and  was  retreating."  * 

Magruder,  in  the  above  statement,  unintentionally  exposes 
ihe  faultiness  of  Lee's  plan,  which,  had  McClellan  improved 


*  Magruder's  Report,  p.  191. 


1 864.  J       FROM  THE  RAPID  AN  TO  COLD  HARBOR.         341 

liis  opportunity,  would  have  been  the  loss  of  the  Rebel  capital, 
the  rout  and  disorganization  of  Lee's  army,  and  a  historic  page 
wholly  different  from  that  now  on  record. 

In  contrast  is  Grant's  plan  of  operations.  His  secret-service 
department  was  managed  with  rare  ability,  by  men  acquainted 
with  the  English  language,  who  were  adepts  in  the  art  of  sifting 
truth  from  falsehood.  Grant  was  well  informed  as  to  Lee's 
ixamoers,  the  reinforcements  at  his  disposal,  and  his  move- 
ments. He  took  counsel  of  his  courage,  never  of  his  fear.  In 
his  plan  of  the  Wilderness  campaigns,  the  series  of  movements 
from  the  Rapidan  to  the  James,  were  duly  considered  before 
the  orders  for  the  advance  were  given.  When  he  saw  that  he 
could  not  reach  Richmond  from  the  north,  he  decided  to  sweep 
round  to  the  James,  but  not  till  he  had  made  it  impossible  for 
Lee  to  move  upon  Washington,  by  breaking  up  the  Virginia 
Central  and  Fredericksburg  Railroad.  McClellan  pomplained 
that  he  was  deprived  of  the  control  of  McDowell's  force  at 
Fredericksburg,  which  was  retained  by  the  President  to  cover 
Washington  ;  but  the  railroad  from  Richmond  to  Manassas  was 
then  in  running  order,  with  the  exception  of  the  bridge  across 
the  Rappahannock.  Grant's  prudence  in  securing  Washington 
was  as  marked  as  his  tenacity  of  purpose  to  push  on  towards 
Richmond. 

The  transfer  of  the  Eighteenth  Corps  from  Bermuda  Hun- 
dred to  seize  Cold  Harbor,  —  the  order  for  which  was  given 
before  the  army  crossed  the  Pamunkey ,  —  was  a  conception  as 
brilliant  as  that  of  Lee's  in  the  transfer  of  Jackson  from  the 
Shenandoah  in  '62.  The  march  of  the  army  to  the  south  side 
of  the  James,  which  will  be  narrated  in  another  chapter,  was 
the  most  striking  movement  of  the  campaign,  exhibiting  the 
same  quality  of  genius  which  had  been  exhibited  at  Vicksburg, 
and  which  has  no  parallel  in  the  movements  of  any  of  the  Rebel 
commanders  during  the  war. 

There  was  a  season  of  rest  while  Grant  was  preparing  for 
the  march  to  the  James.  The  army  needed  it.  A  month 
had  passed,  the  most  terrible  of  all  the  months  of  the  war. 
There  had  been  scarcely  an  hour  of  quiet  from  the  moment 
when  the  army  broke  camp  at  Culpepper  till  it  reached  Cold 
Harbor.     It  never  can  be  known  how  many  were  killed  and 


842  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  [JuDe, 

wounded  in  that  month  of  battle.  The  hospitals  of  Washing- 
ton were  crowded.  Thousands  of  slightly  wounded  were 
granted  leave  of  absence.  Reinforcements  were  hurried  on 
to  fill  up  the  wasted  ranks.  Lee's  loss  was  nearly  as  heavy 
as  Grant's.  Richmond  was  overflowing  with  wounded ;  all 
central  Virginia  was  a  hospital.  Both  armies  were  becoming 
exhausted. 

Lee  was  the  attacking  party  at  the  Wilderness,  but  it  was 
his  last  offensive  movement,  except  as  the  gauge  of  battle  was 
given  by  Grant. 

The  march  from  Spottsylvania  to  Cold  Harbor  was  through  a 
section  never  before  visited  by  Union  troops.  At  the  crossing 
of  the  Ny  I  found  quarters  at  a  farm-house  owned  by  a  feeble, 
forceless,  gray-bearded,  black-eyed  man.  There  was  constitu- 
tionally a  want  of  starch  in  his  physical  organization.  He  was 
free  and  frank,  but  shiftless.  He  owned  eighty  acres  of  land,  two 
negroes,  an  old  horse,  and  a  rickety  cart.  His  house  was  mean, 
but  it  was  charmingly  located,  overlooking  the  broad  valley 
of  the  Mattapony,  and  surrounded  by  locusts  and  magnolias. 
Nature  had  done  a  great  deal  towards  making  it  a  paradise, 
but  the  owner  had  been  an  indifferent  steward.  Lying  upon 
the  grass  beneath  the  trees,  I  fell  into  conversation  with  the 
proprietor. 

"  This  is  Caroline  County,  I  believe." 

"  Yes,  sir,  this  is  old  Caroline,  —  a  county  which  has  sold 
more  negroes  down  south  than  any  other  in  Virginia." 

"  I  was  not  aware  of  that ;  but  I  remember  now  a  negro  song 
which  I  used  to  hear.     The  burden  of  it  was, 

'  I  wish  I  was  back  in  old  Caroline.* " 

"  Quite  likely,  for  the  great  business  of  the  county  has  been 
nigger-raising,  and  it  has  been  our  curse.  I  never  owned  only 
old  Peter  and  his  wife.  I  wish  I  did  n't  own  them,  for  they 
are  old  and  I  have  got  to  support  them ;  but  how  in  the  world 
I  am  to  do  it  I  don't  know,  for  the  soldiers  have  stripped  me  of 
everything." 

"  Do  you  mean  the  Union  soldiers  ?  " 

*'  Yes,  and  ours  (Rebels)  also.     First,  my  boys  were  con 
scripted.     I  kept  them  out  as  long  as  I  could,  but  they  were 


1.8 1)4.]       FROM  THE  RAPID  AN  I'O  COLD  HARBOR.  843 

obliged  to  go.  Then  they  took  my  horses.  Then  your  cavalry 
came  and  took  all  my  corn  and  stole  my  meat,  ransacked  the 
bouse,  seized  my  flour,  killed  my  pigs  and  chickens,  and  herp 
I  am,  stripped  of  everything." 

'"  It  is  pretty  hard,  but  your  leaders  would  have  it  so.'* 
"  I  know  it,  sir,  and  we  are  getting  our  pay  for  it." 
It  was  frankly  spoken,  and  was  the  first  admission  I  had 
heard  from  Southern  lips  that  the  South  was  suffering  retribu- 
tion for  the  crime  of  Secession.  It  probably  did  not  enter  his 
head  that  the  selling  of  slaves,  the  breaking  up  of  families,  the 
sundering  of  heart-strings,  the  cries  and  tears  and  prayers  of 
fathers  and  mothers,  the  outrages,  the  whippings,  scourgings, 
branding  with  hot  irons,  were  also  crimes  in  the  sight  of 
Heaven.  Broken  hearts  were  nothing  to  him,  —  not  that  he 
was  naturally  worse  than  other  men,  but  because  slavery  had 
blunted  sensibility. 

During  the  march  the  next  day  towards  the  North  Anna,  1 
halted  at  a  farm-house.  The  owner  had  fled  to  Richmond  in 
advance  of  the  army,  leaving  his  overseer,  a  stout,  burly,  red- 
faced,  tobacco-chewing  man.  There  were  a  score  of  old  build- 
ings on  the  premises.  It  had  been  a  notable  plantation,  yield- 
ing luxuriant  harvests  of  wheat,  but  the  proprietor  had  turned 
his  attention  to  the  culture  of  tobacco  and  the  breeding  of 
negroes.  He  sold  annually  a  crop  of  human  beings  for  the 
southern  market.  The  day  before  our  arrival,  hearing  that  the 
Yankees  were  coming,  he  hurried  forty  or  fifty  souls  to  Rich- 
mond. He  intended  to  take  all,  —  forty  or  fifty  more,  —  but 
the  negroes  fled  to  the  woods.  The  overseer  did  his  best 
to  collect  them,  but  in  vain.  The  proprietor  raved,  and 
stormed,  and  became  violent  in  his  language  and  behavior, 
threatening  terrible  punishment  on  all  the  runaways,  but  the 
appearance  of  a  body  of  Union  cavalry  put  an  end  to  maledic- 
tions. He  had  a  gang  of  men  and  women  chained  together, 
and  hurried  them  toward  Richmond. 

The  runaways  came  out  from  their  hiding-places  when  they 
saw  the  Yankees,  and  advanced  fearlessly  with  open  coun 
tenances.  The  first  pleasure  of  the  negroes  was  to  smile  from 
ear  to  ear,  the  second  to  give  everybody  a  drink  of  water  or  a 
piece  of  hoe-cake,  the  third  to  pack  up  their  bundles  and  be  in 
readiness  to  join  the  army. 


344  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

"  Are  you  not  afraid  of  us  ?  " 

'*  Afraid!  Why,  boss,  I  's  been  praying  for  yer  to  come; 
and  now  yer  is  here,  thank  de  Lord." 

"  Are  you  not  afraid  that  we  shall  sell  you  ?  " 

"  No,  boss,  I  is  n't.  The  overseer  said  you  would  sell  us  off 
to  Cuba,  to  work  in  the  sugar-mill,  but  we  did  n't  believe  him." 

Among  the  servants  was  a  bright  mulatto  girl,  who  was  dan- 
cing, singing,  and  manifesting  her  joy  in  violent  demonstration. 

"  What  makes  you  so  happy  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Because  you  Yankees  have  come.     I  can  go  home  now." 

"  Is  not  this  your  home  ?  " 

"  No.     I  come  from  Williamsport  in  Maryland." 

"  When  did  you  come  from  there  ?  " 

"  Last  year.  Master  sold  me.  I  spect  my  brother  is  'long 
with  the  army.  He  ran  away  last  year.  Master  was  afraid 
that  I  should  run  away,  and  he  sold  me." 

The  negroes  came  from  all  the  surrounding  plantations.  Old 
men  with  venerable  beards,  horny  hands,  crippled  with  hard 
work  and  harder  usage ;  aged  women,  toothless,  almost  blind, 
steadying  their  steps  with  sticks ;  little  negro  boys,  driving  a 
team  of  skeleton  steers, — mere  bones  and  tendons  covered  with 
hide,  —  or  wall-eyed  horses,  spavined,  foundered,  and  lame,  at- 
tached to  rickety  carts  and  wagons,  piled  with  beds,  tables,  chairs, 
pots  and  kettles,  hens,  turkeys,  ducks,  women  with  infants  in 
their  arms,  and  a  sable  cloud  of  children  trotting  by  their  side. 

"  Where  are  you  going  ? "  I  said  to  a  short,  thick-set,  gray- 
bearded  old  man,  shuffling  along  the  road ;  his  toes  bulging  from 
his  old  boots,  and  a  tattered  straw  hat  on  his  head,  —  his  gray 
wool  protruding  from  the  crown. 

"  I  do'no,  boss,  where  I  's  going,  but  I  reckon  I  '11  go  where 
the  army  goes." 

"  And  leave  your  old  home,  your  old  master,  and  the  place 
where  you  have  lived  all  your  days  ?  " 

"Yes,  boss;  master,  he  's  gone.  He  went  to  Richmond. 
Reckon  he  went  mighty  sudden,  boss,  when  he  heard  you  was 
coming.     Thought  I  'd  like  to  go  along  with  you." 

His  face  streamed  with  perspiration.  Ho  had  been  sorely 
afflicted  with  the  rheumatism,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  that  he 
kept  up  with  the  column ;  but  it  was  not  a  hard  matter  to 


NE3R0ES    COMING    INTO    THE   LINES. 


l«64.]       FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HARBOR.  845 

read  the  emotions  of  his  heart.  He  was  marching  towards 
freedom.  Suddenly  a  light  had  shined  upon  him.  Hope  had 
quickened  in  his  soul.  He  had  a  vague  idea  of  what  was  be- 
fore him.  He  had  broken  loose  from  all  which  he  had  been 
accustomed  to  call  his  own, — his  cabin,  a  mud-chinked  struc- 
ture, with  the  ground  for  a  floor,  his  garden  patch,  —  to  go  out, 
in  his  old  age,  wholly  unprovided  for,  yet  trusting  in  God  that 
there  would  be  food  and  raiment  on  the  other  side  of  Jordan. 

It  was  a  Jordan  to  them.  It  was  the  Sabbath-day,  —  bright, 
clear,  calm,  and  delightful.  There  was  a  crowd  of  several  hun- 
dred colored  people  at  a  deserted  farm-house. 

"  Will  it  disturb  you  if  we  have  a  little  singing  ?  You  see 
we  feel  so  happy  to-day  that  we  would  like  to  praise  the  Lord." 

It  was  the  request  of  a  middle-aged  woman. 

"  Not  in  the  least.     I  should  like  to  hear  you." 

In  a  few  moments  a  crowd  had  assembled  in  one  of  the 
rooms.  A  stout  young  man,  black,  bright-eyed,  thick-wooled, 
took  the  centre  of  the  room.  The  women  and  girls,  dressed  in 
their  best  clothes,  which  they  had  put  on  to  make  their  exodus 
from  bondage  in  the  best  possible  manner,  stood  in  circles  round 
him.  The  young  man  began  to  dance.  He  jumped  up,  clapped 
his  hands,  slapped  his  thighs,  whirled  round,  stamped  upon  the 
floor. 

"  Sisters,  let  us  bless  the  Lord.  Sisters,  join  in  the  chorus," 
he  said,  and  led  off  with  a  kind  of  recitative,  improvised  as  the 
excitement  gave  him  utterance.  From  my  note-book  I  select  a 
few  lines :  — 

RECITATIVE. 

"  We  are  going  to  the  other  side  of  Jordan  " 

CHORUS. 

"  So  glad !  so  glad  1 
Bless  the  Lferd  for  freedom, 

So  glad !  so  glad ! 
We  are  going  on  our  way, 

So  glad  1  so  glad  1 
To  the  other  side  of  Jordan, 

So  glad  1  so  glad  I 
•  Sisters,  won't  you  follow  ? 

So  glad  !  so  glad  I 
Brothers,  won't  you  follow  ?  " 


846  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [June, 

And  so  it  went  on  for  a  half-hour,  witnout  cessation,  all 
dancing,  clapping  their  hands,  tossing  their  heads.  It  was  the 
ecstasy  of  action.  It  was  a  joy  not  to  be  uttered,  but  de- 
monstrated. The  old  house  partook  of  their  r^oicing.  It  rang 
with  their  jubilant  shouts,  and  shook  in  all  its  joints. 

I  stood  an  interested  spectator.  One  woman,  well  dressed, 
intelligent,  refined  in  her  deportment,  modest  in  her  manner, 
said,  "  It  is  one  way  in  which  we  worship,  sir.  It  is  our  first 
day  of  freedom." 

The  first  day  of  freedom !  Behind  her  were  years  of  suffer- 
ing, hardship,  unrequited  toil,  heartaches,  darkness,  no  hope  of 
r^icompenoe  or  of  light  in  this  life,  but  a  changeless  future. 
Death,  aforetime,  was  their  only  deliverer.  For  them  there 
was  hope  only  in  the  grave.  But  suddenly  Hope  had  advanced 
from  eternity  into  time.  They  need  not  wait  for  death  ;  in  life 
they  could  be  free.  Is  it  a  wonder  that  they  exhibited  extrav- 
agant joy  ? 

Apart  from  the  dancers  was  a  woman  with  light  hair, 
hazel  eyes,  and  fair  complexion.  She  sat  upon  the  broad 
steps  of  the  piazza,  and  looked  out  upon  the  fields,  or  rather 
into  the  air,  unmindful  of  the  crowd,  the  dance,  or  the  shout- 
ing. Her  features  were  so  nearly  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  type  that 
it  required  a  second  look  to  assure  one  that  there  was  African 
blood  in  her  veins.  She  alone  of  all  the  crowd  was  sad  in 
spirit.  She  evidently  had  no  heart  to  join  in  the  general 
jubilee. 

''  Where  did  you  come  from  ? "  I  asked. 

"  From  Caroline  County." 

Almost  every  one  else  would  have  said,  "  From  old  Caroline." 
There  was  no  trace  of  the  negro  dialect,  more  than  you  heai 
from  all  classes  in  the  South,  for  slavery  has  left  its  taint  upon 
the  language ;  it  spares  nothing,  but  is  remorseless  in  its  cor- 
rupting influences. 

"  You  do  not  join  in  the  song  and  dance,"  I  said. 

"  No,  sir." 

Most  of  them  would  have  said  "  master  "  or  "  boss." 

"  I  should  think  you  would  want  to  dance  on  your  first  night 
of  freedom,  if  ever." 

"  I  don't  dance,  sir,  in  that  way." 


1864.]  FROM   THE  RAPID  AN   TO   COLD   HARBOR.  847 

"  Was  your  master  kind  to  you  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir ;  but  he  sold  my  husband  and  children  down  South.*' 

The  secret  of  her  sadness  was  out. 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  or  where  do  you  expect  to  go  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  sir,  and  I  don't  care  where  I  go." 

The  conversation  ran  on  for  some  minutes.  She  manifested 
no  animation,  and  did  not  once  raise  her  eyes,  but  kept  them 
fixed  on  vacancy.  Husband  and  children  sold,  gone  forever,  — 
there  was  nothing  in  life  to  charm  her.  Even  the  prospect  of 
freedom,  with  its  undefined  joys  and  pleasures,  its  soul-stirring 
expectations,  raising  the  hopes  of  those  around  her,  moved 
her  not. 

Life  was  a  blank.  She  had  lived  in  her  master's  family,  and 
was  intelligent.  She  was  the  daughter  of  her  master.  She 
was  high-toned  in  her  feelings.  The  dancing  and  shouting  of 
those  around  her  were  distasteful.  It  was  to  her  more  barbaric 
than  Christian.  She  was  alone  among  them.  She  felt  her 
degradation.  Freedom  could  not  give  her  a  birthright  among 
the  free.  The  daughter  of  her  master !  It  was  gall  and  worm- 
wood ;  and  he,  her  father,  had  sold  her  husband  and  his  grand- 
children ! 

I  had  read  of  such  things.  But  one  needs  to  come  in 
contact  with  slavery,  to  feel  how  utterly  loathsome  a^id  hate- 
ful it  is.  There  was  the  broken-hearted  victim,  so  bruised  that 
not  freedom  itself,  neither  the  ecstasy  of  those  around  her,  could 
awaken  an  emotion  of  joy.  Hour  after  hour  the  festivities  went 
on,  but  there  she  sat  upon  the  step,  looking  down  the  desolate 
years  gone  by,  or  into  a  dreamless,  hopeless  future. 

It  was  late  at  night  before  the  dancers  ceased,  and  then  they 
stopped,  not  because  of  a  surfeit  of  joy,  but  because  the  time 
had  come  for  silence  in  the  camp.  It  was  their  first  Sabbath  of 
freedom,  and  like  the  great  king  of  Israel,  upon  the  recovery  of 
the  ark  of  God,  they  danced  before  the  Lord  with  all  their  might. 

We  had  a  hard,  dusty  ride  from  the  enc>ampment  at  Mongo- 
hick  to  the  Pamunkey.  It  was  glorious,  however,  in  the  early 
morning  to  sweep  along  the  winding  forest-road,  with  the  head- 
quarters' flag  in  advance.  Wherever  its  silken  folds  were  un- 
fnrled,  there  the  two  commanders  might  be  found,  —  General 
Meade,  commanding  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  Genera] 


348  THE   BOYS   OF    '61.  [JunO, 

Grant,  tlie  commander  of  all  the  forces  of  the  Union  in  the 
field.  We  passed  the  long  line  of  troops,  crossed  the  Pamunkey 
upon  a  pontoon  bridge,  rode  a  mile  or  two  across  the  verdant 
intervale,  and  halted  beneath  the  oaks,  magnolias,  and  button- 
woods  of  an  old  Virginia  mansion.  The  edifice  was  reared  a 
century  ago.  It  was  of  wood,  stately  and  substantial.  How 
luxurious  the  surrounding  shade ;  the  smooth  lawn,  the  rolled 
pathways  bordered  by  box,  with  moss-roses,  honeysuckle,  and 
jessamines  scenting  the  air,  and  the  daisies  dotting  the  green- 
sward !  The  sweep  of  open  land,  —  viewing  it  from  the  wide 
portico ;  the  long  reach  of  cultivated  grounds ;  acres  of  wheat 
rolling  in  the  breeze,  like  waves  of  the  ocean ;  meadow-lands, 
smooth  and  fair;  distant  groves  and  woodlands, — how  mag- 
nificent !  It  was  an  old  estate,  inherited  by  successive  genera- 
tions, —  by  those  whose  pride  it  had  been  to  keep  the  paternal 
acres  in  the  family  name.  But  the  sons  had  all  gone.  A  daugh- 
ter was  the  last  heir.  She  gave  her  hand,  and  heart,  and  the 
old  homestead,  —  sheep,  horses,  a  great  stock  of  bovines,  and 
a  hundred  negroes  or  more,  —  to  her  husband.  The  family 
name  became  extinct,  and  the  homestead  of  seven  or  eight 
generations  passed  into  the  hands  of  one  bearing  another 
name. 

When  McClellan  was  on  the  Peninsula,  the  shadow  of  the 
war-cloud  swept  past  the  place.  One  or  two  negroes  ran  away, 
but  at  that  time  they  were  not  tolerated  in  camp.  The 
campaign  of  1862  left  the  estate  unharmed.  But  Sheridan's 
cavalry,  followed  by  the  Sixth  Corps,  in  its  magnificent  march 
from  the  North  Anna,  had  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  disturbed 
the  security  of  the  old  plantation.  There  was  a  rattling  fire 
firom  carbines,  a  fierce  fight,  men  wounded  and  dead,  broken 
fences,  trodden  fields  of  wheat  and  clover ;  ransacked  stables, 
corn-bins,  meat-houses,  and  a  swift  disappearing  of  live  stock 
of  every  description. 

But  to  go  back  a  little.  The  proprietor  of  this  estate  ardently 
espoused  Secession.  His  wife  was  as  earnest  as  he.  They  hated 
the  North.  They  loved  the  institutions  and  principles  of  the 
South.  They  sold  their  surplus  negroes  in  the  Richmond  mar- 
ket. They  parted  husbands  and  wives,  tore  children  from  the 
arms  of  their  mothers,  and  separated  them  forever.    They  lived 


FORAGING. 


1864.]       FROM  THE  BAPIDAN  TO  COLD  HABBOB.         b49 

on  unrequited  labor,  and  grew  rich  through  the  breeding  of 
human  flesh  for  the  market. 

When  the  war  commenced,  the  owner  of  this  magnificent 
estate  enlisted  in  the  army  and  was  made  a  Colonel  of  cavalry. 
He  furnished  supplies  and  kept  open  house  for  his  comrades  in 
arms ;  but  he  fell  in  a  cavalry  engagement  on  the  Rappahannock, 
in  October,  1863,  leaving  a  wife  and  three  young  children. 
The  advance  of  the  army,  its  sudden  appearance  on  the  Pamun- 

key,  left  Mrs. no  time  to  remove  her  personal  estate,  or  to 

send  her  negroes  to  Richmond  for  safe  keeping.  Fitz-Hugh 
Lee  disputed  Sheridan's  advance.  The  fighting  began  on  this 
estate.  Charges  by  squadrons  and  regiments  were  made  through 
the  corn-fields.  Horses,  cattle,  hogs,  sheep,  were  seized  by  the 
cavalrymen.  The  garden,  filled  with  young  vegetables,  was 
spoiled.  In  an  hour  there  was  complete  desolation.  The 
hundred  negroes  —  cook,  steward,  chambermaid,  house  and 
field  hands,  old  and  young  —  aJl  left  their  work  and  followed 
the  army.  Mrs. was  left  to  do  her  own  work.  The  par- 
lors of  the  stately  mansion  were  taken  by  the  surgeons  for  a 

hospital.    The  change  which  Mrs. experienced  was  from 

affluence  to  abject  poverty,  from  power  to  sudden  helplessness. 

Passing  by  one  of  the  negro  cabins  on  the  estate,  I  saw  a 
middle-aged  colored  woman  packing  a  bundle. 

"  Are  you  going  to  move  ? "  I  asked. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  I  am  going  to  follow  the  army." 

"  What  for  ?     Where  will  you  go  ?  " 

"  I  want  to  go  to  Washington,  to  find  my  husband.  He  ran 
away  awhile  ago,  and  is  at  work  in  Washington." 

"  Do  you  think  it  right,  auntie,  to  leave  your  mistress,  who 
has  taken  care  of  you  so  long  ?  " 

She  had  been  busy  with  her  bundle,  but  stopped  new  and 
stood  erect  before  me,  her  hands  on  her  hips.  Her  black  eyes 
flashed. 

"  Taken  care  of  me !  What  did  she  ever  do  for  me  ?  Have  n't 
I  been  her  cook  for  more  than  thirty  years  ?  Have  n't  I  cooked 
every  meal  she  ever  ate  in  that  house  ?  What  has  she  done  for 
me  in  return  ?  She  has  sold  my  children  down  South,  one  after 
another.  She  has  whippied  me  when  I  cried  for  them.  She 
has  treated  me  like  a  hog,  sir !     Yes,  sir,  like  a  hog ! " 


350  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

Slio  resumed  her  work  of  preparation  for  leaving.  That 
night  she  and  her  remaining  children  joined  the  thousands  of 
colored  people  who  had  already  taken  sudden  leave  of  their 
masters. 

Returning  to  the  mansion  to  see  the  wounded,  I  met  Mrs. 

in  the  hall.    She  was  tall,  robust,  dignified.    Slie  evidently 

did  not  fully  realize  the  great  change  which  had  taken  place  in 
her  affairs.  The  change  was  not  complete  at  that  moment. 
The  colored  steward  was  there,  hat  in  hand ;  obsequious,  bow- 
ing politely,  and  obeying  all  commands.  A  half-hour  before  I 
had  seen  him  in  the  cook's  cabin,  making  arrangements  for 
leaving  the  premises,  and  a  half-hour  later  he  was  on  his  way 
toward  freedom. 

"  I  wish  I  had  gone  to  Richmond,''  said  the  lady.  "  This 
is  terrible,  terrible !  They  have  taken  all  my  provisions,  all 
my  horses  and  cattle.  My  servants  are  going.  What  shall  I 
do  ?  "  She  sank  upon  the  sofa,  and  for  a  moment  gave  way  to 
her  feelings. 

"  You  are  better  off  here  than  you  would  be  there,  with  the 
city  full  of  wounded,  and  scant  supplies  in  the  market,"  I  re- 
marked. 

"  You  are  right,  sir.  What  could  I  do  with  my  three  little 
children  there  ?  Yet  how  I  am  to  live  here  I  don't  know- 
When  will  this  terrible  war  come  to  an  end  ?  " 

But  enough  of  this  scene.  I  have  introduced  it  because  it 
is  real,  and  because  it  is  but  one  of  many.  There  are  hundreds 
of  Southern  homes  where  the  change  has  been  equally  great. 
Secession  is  not  what  they  who  started  it  thought  it  would  be. 
The  penalties  for  crime  always  come,  sooner  or  later.  God's 
scales  are  correctly  balanced.  He  makes  all  tilings  even.  For 
every  tear  wrung  from  the  slave  by  irgustice,  for  every  broken 
heart,  for  the  weeping  and  wailing  of  mothers  for  their  babes 
sold  to  the  far-off  South,  for  every  wrong  there  is  retribution 

"  Though  the  mills  of  God  grind  slowly, 
Yet  they  grind  exceeding  small ; 
ITiough  -with  patience  he  stands  waiting, 
With  exactness  grinds  he  all." 


1864.1  TO   PETERSBUBG  S«51 


CHAPTER     XX. 

TO    PETERSBURG. 

Geneual  Grant  had  tried  to  break  Lee's  lines  at  Cold  Harbor, 
and  had  been  repulsed  with  great  loss.  The  Richmond  news- 
papers were  jubilant.  "  He  is  floundering  in  the  swamps  of 
Chick ahominy.  He  has  reached  the  graveyard  of  Yankee 
armies,"  said  they. 

Tlio  newspapers  opposed  to  the  war  and  in  sympathy  with 
the  Rebellion,  in  the  North,  made  Cold  Harbor  an  occasion  for 
glorifying  General  MtClellan,  their  candidate  for  the  Pres- 
idency. 

''  Grant  is  a  butcher.  He  has  sacrificed  a  hundred  thou 
land  lives.  He  acts  under  Lincoln's  orders.  Elect  McClellan, 
md  we  shall  have  peace." 

The  army  was  dejected,  but  did  not  lose  heart.  It  had  been 
repulsed,  liad  lost  many  brave  men,  but  it  had  pushed  Lee  from 
tlio  Wilderness  to  Richmond. 

1  conversed  freely  with  the  soldiers,  and  rarely  found  one 
who  had  not  full  confidence  in  the  ability  of  General  Grant. 
Round  tlieir  bivouac  fires  the  history  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  was  freely  discussed.  The  old  soldiers,  who  had 
fought  in  the  first  Cold  Harbor  battle,  remembered  how  twenty- 
seven  thousand  men  held  Lee  at  bay  on  that  ground  through 
the  long  hours  of  the  first  oi  the  seven  days'  fight  in  front  oi 
Richmond ;  how  McClellan  kept  sixty  thousand  men  on  the 
south  bank  of  the  Chickahominy,  inactive,  —  sending  a  brigade 
to  their  aid  when  too  late  lo  be  of  use.  They  recalled  the 
scenes  of  those  terrible  demoralizing  days,  —  how  McClellan 
kept  out  of  harm's  way.  When  the  battle  was  raging  on  the 
north  bank  of  the  Chickahominy  he  was  south  of  it;  when 
Sumner  was  holding  Savage  Station,  McClellan  was  across 
White  Oak  Swamp ;  when  Glendale  was  fought,  and  the  Rebels 
under  Hill  routed,  McClellan  was  at  Malvern,  and  while  Ma 


852  THE  ROYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

gruder  was  madly  pushing  his  troops  on  to  be  slaughtered  at 
Malvern,  McClellan  was  on  board  a  gunboat ;  how  in  the  night 
the  whole  army  was  ordered  away  from  a  victorious  field,  from 
an  impregnable  position,  while  Lee  was  fleeing  towards  Rich- 
mond !  Soldiers  who  had  come  later  into  the  service  re- 
membered the  failure  at  FredericKsburg  and  the  retreat  from 
Chancellor sville,  and  in  contrast  saw  that  Grant  had  pluck.  It 
s  a  quality  of  character  which  soldiers  admire.  They  could 
also  see  that  there  was  system  in  his  movements.  They  some- 
times spoke  of  him  as  the  Grand  Flanker.  "  He  '11  flank  Lee 
out  of  Richmond  yet ;  see  if  he  don't,"  said  a  soldier. 

If  Grant  had  failed  to  move  Lee  from  his  position  in  a  direct 
attack,  Loo  also  had  failed  to  drive  Grant  from  the  junction 
of  the  roads  at  old  Cold  Harbor,  —  an  important  point,  as, 
by  opening  the  railroad  from  White  House,  he  could  easily 
bring  up  his  supplies.  His  army  was  intact,  —  not  divided, 
as  McClellan's  had  been  by  the  dark  and  sluggish  Cliicka 
hominy. 

"  What  will  Grant  do  ? "  was  a  question  often  discussed 
around  the  mess-tables  of  brigadiers,  colonels,  and  captains, — by 
men  who  were  bound  to  obey  all  orders,  but  who  nevertheless 
had  their  own  ideas  as  to  the  best  method  of  conducting  the 
campaign.  The  Lieutenant-General  had  the  whole  plan  of 
operations  settled  for  him  many  times.  It  was  amusing  to  see 
the  strategic  points  indicated  on  the  maps. 

"  He  can  swing  in  north  of  the  city  upon  the  high  lands. 
The  Chickahominy  swamps  don't  extend  above  Mechanicsville," 
said  one. 

"  But  how  will  he  get  his  supplies  ?  " 

'  Open  the  Fredericksburg  road.  It  is  open  now  from  Aquia 
Greek  to  the  Rappahannock." 

But  Grant,  instead  of  opening  the  road,  determined  to  break 
it  up  completely,  also  the  Virginia  Central,  which  runs  to 
Gordonsville,  to  prevent  Lee  from  moving  upon  Washington. 
Up  to  this  time  all  of  his  movements,  while  they  were  upon 
Lee's  flank,  had  not  uncovered  that  city  ;  but  now  Washington 
would  take  care  of  itself. 

The  plan  of  the  campaign  had  been  well  matured  by  Gen- 
eral Grant  before  he  started  from  Culpepper.     He  says  :  — 


1864.]  TO  pp:tersburg.  363 

"  My  idea  from  the  start  had  been  to  beat  the  enemy  north  of  Rich- 
mond if  possible.  Then  after  destroying  his  lines  of  communication 
north  of  the  James  River,  to  transfer  the  army  to  the  south  side,  and 
besiege  Lee  in  Richmond,  or  follow  him  south  if  he  should  retreat."  * 

Grant  was  not  willing  to  sacrifice  his  men.  He  resolved  to 
transfer  his  army  south  of  the  James,  and  cut  Lee's  communi- 
cations. Crrcgg  was  sent  in  advance,  with  the  cavalry  belong- 
ing to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  ci'ossing  the  Chickahominy, 
and  making  a  rapid  movement  by  the  left  flank. 

Lee  evidently  did  not  mistrust  Grant's  intention, — judging 
from  the  disposition  he  made  of  his  troops,  and  the  tardiness 
with  which  he  marched  to  counteract  the  movement.  The 
transfer  of  the  Eighteenth  Corps  from  Bermuda  Hundred  to 
Cold  Harbor  undoubtedly  had  its  eflfect  upon  Lee's  calculations. 
It  was  an  indication  tliat  Grant  intended  to  keep  Washington 
covered. 

Hunter  at  this  time  was  advancing  from  the  West.  Sheridan, 
who  had  been  guarding  the  road  to  White  House,  was  with- 
drawn, and  sent  with  two  divisions  of  his  cavalry  up  the  Virginia 
Central  road  to  Gordonsville,  hoping  to  meet  Hunter  at  Char- 
lottesville ;  but  Hunter  had  moved  on  Lynchburg,  and  the 
union  of  the  forces  was  not  effected.  Sheridan's  movement, 
however,  threw  dust  in  the  eyes  of  Lee. 

Grant  knew  that  Petersburg  was  held  by  a  handful  of  Rebel 
troops,  —  Wise's  Legion.  The  citizens  had  been  organized  into 
a  battalion,  but  the  place  could  be  taken  by  biirprise.  Strong 
earthworks  had  been  thrown  up  around  the  city  early  in  the 
war,  but  the  troops  in  the  city  were  not  sufficient  to  man  them. 
Grant  l)elieved  that  the  place  could  be  seized  without  diffi- 
culty ;  and  taking  a  steamer  at  White  House  went  to  Bermuda 
Hundred,  held  a  conference  with  Butler,  who  sent  Gillmore 
with  thirty-five  hundred  men  across  the  Appomattox,  near 
the  Point  of  Rocks,  to  attack  the  city  from  the  east.  At  the 
same  time,  Kautz's  division  of  cavalry  was  sent,  by  a  long  de- 
tour, across  the  Norfolk  Railroad,  to  enter  the  town  from  the 
south.  Having  made  these  arrangements.  Grant  returned  to 
his  army,  which  had  been  lying  behind  its  intrenchments  at 
Cold  Harbor. 


*  Grant's  OflScial  Report. 
23 


864  THE    BOYS    OF    '61.  [JuQe, 

Preparations  had  been  quietly  making  for  a  rapid  march. 
The  Second  Corps  had  been  moved  down  towards  tlie  Chick 
ahominy.  The  Fifth  was  sent  to  Despatch  Station.  Gregg 
and  Torbett,  with  their  divisions  of  cavahy,  were  placed 
at  Bottom's  Bridge.  The  Rebel  pickets  were  there  on  watch. 
Meanwhile  workmen  were  busily  engaged  in  opening  the  rail- 
road. Lee  must  have  known  that  Grant  had  a  new  movement 
imder  way,  the  precise  nature  of  which  it  was  difficult  to  under- 
stand. 

The  movement  of  Gillmore  was  a  disgraceful  failure.  He 
crossed  the  Appomattox  on  the  evening  of  the  10th  of  June, 
without  molestation,  marched  up  witliin  sight  of  the  city  spires, 
discovered  a  formidable  line  of  breastworks,  and  without 
making  an  attack,  turned  about  and  retired  to  Bermuda  Hun- 
dred. Kautz,  on  the  contrary,  after  a  rapid  movement,  entered 
the  city  from  the  south,  but  Gillmore  having  retreated,  could 
not  hold  it,  and  was  obliged  to  retire. 

Grant  was  justly  indignant  when  he  heard  of  the  failure. 
It  was  a  golden  opportunity  lost.  Gillmore  and  Kautz  could 
have  taken  and  held  the  place  till  the  arrival  of  reinforcements. 
Gillmore  was  wholly  responsible  for  the  failure.  Grant  once 
more  hurried  to  Bermuda  Hundred,  to  superintend  in  a  second 
movement,  leaving  Meade  to  conduct  the  army  from  Cold  Har- 
bor to  the  James. 

The  grand  movement  from  the  north  of  Richmond,  by  which 
the  whole  army  was  placed  south  of  that  city,  was  begun  on 
the  12th,  in  the  evening.  Wilson's  division  of  cavalry  was 
thrown  across  the  Chickahominy,  and  sent  to  seize  Long 
Bridge  in  White  Oak  Swamp.  The  Fifth  Corps  followed. 
The  Rebels  struck  the  Fifth  Corps  in  flank,  but  Crawford  re- 
pulsed them.  The  Second  Corps  followed  the  Fifth.  The 
Sixth  and  Ninth  crossed  at  Jones's  Bridge,  while  the  fifty  miles 
of  wagon  trains  swung  far  to  the  east  and  crossed  the  swamp 
fifteen  miles  below.  Gregg  covered  the  flank  of  the  army  with 
his  cavalry,  concealing  the  movement.  The  men  had  a  hard 
time,  being  attacked  constantly  by  the  Rebel  cavalry  and  in- 
fantry. It  was  of  the  utmost  importance  to  Lee  to  know  where 
Grant  intended  to  strike,  wl/ether  north  of  the  James,  by  the 
Charles  City  and  New  Market  roads,  or  across  the  James  at 


1864.]  TO   PETERSBURG.  855 

Dutch  Gap,  joining  his  forces  with  Butler's,  or  wliether  his 
movement  was  directly  upon  Petersburg. 

Lee  moved  on  the  inner  circle  with  great  caution. 

The  Eighteenth  Corps  took  water  transportation  from  White 
House,  and  arrived  at  Bermuda  Hundred  at  midnight  on  the 
14th.  Grant  was  there.  He  ordered  General  Smith  to  pro- 
ceed at  once  agahist  Petersburg.  If  successful  in  the  seizure 
of  tliat  place,  Lee  would  be  compelled  to  leave  Richmond.  It 
was  in  the  line  of  his  direct  communication  with  the  South. 
Losing  that  place,  he  would  have  only  the  Danville  road,  and 
Grant  would  soon  deprive  him  of  that.  The  Appomattox 
would  be  Grant's  line  of  defence.  Seizing  it  Grant  could  bide 
his  time.  He  could  become  a  patient  watcher,  and  Lee  would 
be  a  victim  to  circumstances. 

Grant  was  quick  to  see  the  advantages  to  be  gained.  Lee 
was  slower  in  arriving  at  a  perception  of  the  fatal  consequen- 
ces to  himself  which  would  result  from  the  loss  of  the  place ; 
but  when  awakened  to  a  sense  of  his  danger,  acted  with  great 
energy.  On  the  other  hand,  Smith,  who  was  intrusted  with 
tlie  execution  of  the  enterprise,  was  dilatory  in  the  execution. 
Birney  in  part  is  to  be  held  responsible  for  the  delay  in  the 
execution  of  the  order. 

"  Push  on  and  capture  the  place  at  all  hazards !  You  shall 
have  the  whole  army  to  reinforce  you,"  said  Grant  to  Smith. 
Grant  was  in  such  haste  to  have  Smith  move,  that  he  did  not 
stop  to  write  the  order.  He  believed  that  Smith  could  reach 
Petersburg  before  Lee  could  make  his  detour  through  Rich- 
mond. 

A.  P.  Hill  had  already  been  thrown  south  of  Richmond,  and 
was  in  front  of  Butler.  The  scouts  up  the  Appomattox  re- 
ported the  rumbling  of  heavy  trains  along  the  Richmond  and 
Petersburg  railroad.  Lee  was  putting  his  troops  into  the  cars. 
The  dash  of  Kautz,  and  the  movement  of  Gillmore  up  to  the 
entrenchments,  and  his  retirement  without  an  attack,  had  re- 
sulted in  the  manning  of  the  Petersburg  batteries.  A  brigade 
had  been  thrown  down  towards  City  Point,  five  miles  from 
Petersburg.  Soon  after  daylight  the  cavalry  came  upon  the 
Rebel  pickets,  by  the  City  Point  railroad,  beyond  which  they 
found  the  Rebels  with  two  cannon  beh-nd  rifle-pits,  in  the 
centre  of  an  open  field  on  Bailey's  farm. 


85t5  THE  BOYS  OF  '61  [June, 

Hinks's  division  of  the  Eighteenth  Corps  was  composed  of 
colored  troops,  who  liad  never  been  under  fire.  Would  they 
fight  ?  That  was  the  important  question.  After  a  reconnois- 
sance  of  the  position  by  General  Hinks,  the  troops  were  formed 
for  an  assault.  The  Rebel  cannon  opened.  The  sons  of  Africa 
did  not  flinch,  but  took  their  positions  with  deliberation.  They 
had  been  slaves  ;  they  stood  face  to  face  with  their  former  mas- 
ters, or  with  their  representatives.  The  flag  in  front  of  them 
waving  in  the  morning  breeze  was  tlie  emblem  of  oppression ; 
the  banner  above  them  was  the  flag  of  the  free.  Would  an 
abject,  servile  race,  kept  in  chains  four  thousand  years,  assert 
their  manhood  ?  Interesting  the  problem.  Their  brothers  had 
given  the  lie  to  the  assertion  of  the  white  man,  that  negroes 
would  n't  fight,  at  Wagner  and  Port  Hudson.  Would  they 
falter  ? 

The  Rebels  were  on  a  knoll  in  the  field,  and  had  a  clear 
sweep  of  all  the  approaches.  The  advanchig  troops  must  come 
out  from  the  woods,  rush  up  the  slope,  and  carry  it  at  the  point 
of  the  bayonet,  receiving  the  tempest  of  musketry  and  canister. 

Hinks  deployed  his  line.  At  the  word  of  command  the 
colored  men  stepped  out  from  ^he  woods,  and  stood  before  the 
enemy.  They  gave  a  volley,  and  received  one  in  return.  Shells 
crashed  through  them,  but,  unheeding  the  storm,  with  a  yell 
they  started  up  the  slope  upon  the  run.  They  received  one 
charge  of  canister,  one  scathing  volley  of  musketry.  Seventy 
of  their  number  went  down,  but  the  living  hundreds  rushed 
on.  The  Rebels  did  not  wait  their  coming,  but  fled  towards 
Petersburg,  leaving  one  of  the  pieces  of  artillery  in  the  hands 
of  their  assailants,  who  leaped  over  the  works,  turned  it  in  a 
twinkling,  but  were  not  able  to  fire  upon  the  retreating  foe, 
fleehig  in  consternation  towards  the  main  line  of  entrenchments 
two  miles  east  of  the  city. 

The  colored  troops  were  wild  with  joy.  They  embraced  the 
captured  cannon  with  affectionate  enthusiasm,  patting  it  as  if 
it  were  animate,  and  could  appreciate  the  endearment. 

"  Every  soldier  of  the  colored  division  was  two  inches  taller 
for  that  achievement,"  said  an  officer  describing  it.  These 
regiments  were  the  Fifth  and  Twenty-Second  United  States 
colored  troops,  who  deserve  honorable  mention  in  history. 


aOO**. 


,0   PETERSBURG.  357 


Brooks's  division  now  moved  up.  Martindale  was  approach- 
ing Petersburg  by  the  river  road.  By  noon  the  whole  corps 
was  in  front  of  the  main  line  of  works.  Martindale  was  on 
the  right,  by  the  river,  Brooks  in  the  centre,  Hinks  on  the 
left,  with  Kautz's  division  of  cavalry  sweeping  down  to  the 
Jerusalem  road,  which  enters  Petersburg  from  the  southeast. 

Smith  delayed  unaccountably  to  make  the  attack.  It  was 
a  priceless  moment.  A  reconnoissance  showed  a  line  of  strong 
works,  in  which  were  eighteen  pieces  of  field  artillery.  The 
forts  were  well  built,  and  connected  with  breastworks,  but  the 
Rebels  had  not  soldiers  enough  to  man  them.  The  citizens  of 
Petersburg  had  been  called  out  to  hold  the  town.  It  is  evi- 
dent that  Smith  might  just  as  well  have  accomplished  at  one 
o'clock  what  was  achieved  at  sunset.  He  was  a  brave  officer, 
fearless  in  battle,  an  engineer  of  ability,  reckless  of  danger, 
but  failed  to  see  the  necessity  of  impetuous  action.  The  value 
of  time  was  left  out  of  his  calculations. 

General  Grant  thus  speaks  of  Smith's  operations :  — 

"  General  Smith  got  off  as  directed,  and  confronted  the  enemy  s  pick- 
ets near  Petersburg  before  daylight  next  morning,  but  for  some  reason 
that  I  have  never  been  able  to  satisfactorily  understand,  did  not  get 
ready  to  assault  his  main  lines  until  near  sundown.  Then,  with  a  part 
of  his  command  only,  he  made  the  assault,  and  carried  the  lines  north- 
east of  Petersbur<]f  from  the  Appomattox  River,  for  a  distance  of  over 
two  and  a  half  miles,  capturing  fifteen  pieces  of  artillery  and  three 
hundred  prisoners.     This  was  about  seven  P.  M."  * 

The  main  road  leading  east  from  Petersburg  ascends  a  hill 
two  miles  out,  upon  the  top  of  which  stands  the  house  of  Mr. 
Dunn.  The  house  is  a  few  rods  south  of  the  road.  In  front 
of  it  is  a  fort ;  another  south  ;  a  third  north,  and  other  works, 
with  heavy  embankments  and  deep  ditches.  The  woods  in 
front  of  the  house  of  Mr.  Dunn  were  cut  down  in  1862, 
when  McClellan  was  on  the  Peninsula,  and  the  trunks  of  the 
trees,  blackened  by  fire,  are  lying  there  still,  forming  an  abatis. 
The  ground  is  nearly  level,  and  the  Rebel  riflemen  have  a 
fair  view  of  the  entire  field.  It  is  three  hundred  and  sixty 
paces  from  the  forts  to  the  woods,  in  the  edge  of  which  Hinks's 

*  Grant's  Report 


358  THE  BOYS  OF  'Gi.  [June, 

division  of  colored  troops  are  lying.  The  guns  in  the  forts  by 
the  house  of  Mr.  Dunn  gixc  a  direct  front  fire,  while  those  by 
the  house  of  Mr.  Osborn  on  the  nortli  enfilade  the  line.  Brooks 
is  in  position  to  move  upon  the  batteries  by  Osborn's  house, 
while  Martindale  is  to  advance  up  tlie  railroad. 

The  troops  were  placed  in  line  for  tlie  attack  not  far  from 
one  o'clock.  They  were  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  artillery. 
Hinks  impatiently  waited  for  orders.  Two  o'clock  passed. 
The  shells  from  the   Rebel  batteries  were  doing  damage. 

"  Lie  down  !  "  said  he  to  his  men.  They  obeyed,  and  were 
somewhat  sheltered. 

Three  o'clock  !  four  o'clock,  —  five,  —  still  no  orders.  Dun- 
can'? brigade  was  lying  on  both  sides  of  tlie  road,  a  short 
distance  north  of  BufRim's  house. 

At  length  the  word  was  given.  Duncan  threw  forward  a 
cloud  of  skirmishers.  The  Rebels  opened  with  renewed  vigor 
from  the  batteries ;  and  the  infantry,  resting  their  muskets 
over  the  breastworks,  fired  at  will  and  with  great  accuracy 
of  aim.  Men  dropped  from  the  advancing  ranks.  It  was  of 
little  use  to  fire  in  return.  "On!  push  on!"  was  the  order, 
Hinks  and  Duncan  both  entered  heartily  into  the  movement. 
They  had  chafed  all  the  afternoon  at  tlie  delay  ;  but  had  been 
admiring  observers  of  the  conduct  of  the  troops  under  the  fire 
of  shells. 

The  skirmishers  advanced  quickly  within  close  range,  fol 
lowed  by  the  main  line,  moving  more  slowly  over  tlie  fallen 
timber.  The  skirmisliers  gave  a  yell  and  pushed  on,  without 
waiting  for  the  main  body.  They  leaped  into  the  ditches  in 
front  of  the  breastworks,  and  climbed  on  their  hands  and  knees 
up  the  steep  embankments.  The  Rebels  above  fired  into  their 
faces,  and  many  a  brave  fellow  rolled  back  dead  to  the  bottom. 

The  column,  perceiving  the  advance  of  their  comrades,  and 
catching  the  enthusiasm,  broke  into  a  run,  rushing  upon  the 
forts,  sweeping  round  the  curtains,  scaling  the  l)reastworks, 
and  dashing  madly  at  the  Rebels,  who  fled  towards  Petersburg. 
Brooks's  men  at  the  same  moment  swarmed  over  the  embank- 
ments by  Osborn's,  while  Martindale  advanced  along  the  rail- 
road. Fifteen  pieces  and  three  hundred  men  were  captured, 
of  which  two  thirds  of  the  prisoners  and  nine  cannon  were 


1864   I  TO   PETERSBURG.  359 

taken  by  the  colored  troops,  who  wheeled  the  guns  instantly 
upon  the  enemy,  and  then,  seizing  the  spades  and  shovels 
which  the  Rebels  had  left  behind,  reversed  the  fortifications 
and  made  them  a  stronghold. 

Through  the  months  which  followed  the  colored  troops 
looked  back  to  this  exploit  with  pride.  They  never  were  weary 
of  talking  about  it,  —  how  they  advanced,  how  they  leaped 
over  the.  intrenchments,  how  the  Rebels  went  down  the  hill 
upon  the  run. 

Smith  had  possession  of  the  fortifications  at  7  P.  M.  He 
ought  to  have  moved  on.  There  were  no  other  works  between 
him  and  Petersburg.  Not  a  brigade  from  Lee  had  reached  the 
city,  and  the  disaster  was  calculated  to  demoralize  the  Rebel 
soldiers.  The  Second  Corps  had  arrived.  Birney,  who  had 
the  advance  of  that  corps,  ought  to  have  been  on  the  ground 
by  mid-afternoon,  and  Smith  had  delayed  the  assault  on  his 
account.  He  expected  Birney  to  appear  on  his  left,  and  attack 
by  the  Jerusalem  plank-road  ;  but  that  officer,  by  taking  the 
wrong  road,  went  several  miles  out  of  his  way.  Had  he  been 
in  position  at  the  time  Smith  expected  him,  the  attack  would 
have  been  made  at  3  o'clock  instead  of  at  7. 

Smith's  delay  to  follow  up  the  advantage  gained  was  an  error. 
General  Grant  says  :  — 

"  Between  the  line  thus  captured  and  Petersburg  there  were  no  other 
works,  and  there  was  no  evidence  tliat  the  enemy  had  reinforced  Peters- 
burg with  a  single  brigade  from  any  source.  The  night  was  clear,  — 
the  moon  shining  brightly,  —  and  favorable  to  further  operations.  Gen- 
era.  Hancock,  with  two  divisions  of  the  Second  Corps,  had  reached 
General  Smith  just  after  dark,  and  offered  the  service  of  these  troops 
as  he  (Smith)  might  wish,  waiving  rank  to  the  named  commander,  who, 
he  naturally  supposed,  knew  best  the  position  of  affairs.  But  instead 
of  taking  these  troops  and  pushing  on  at  once  into  Petersburg,  he  re- 
quested General  Hancock  to  relieve  a  part  of  his  hne  in  the  captured 
works,  which  was  done  before  midnight."  * 

Not  till  the  Rebel  outpost  on  Bailey's  farm  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  colored  troops  did  Lee  fully  comprehend  Grant's  move- 
ment. Then  there  were  lively  movements  in  the  Rebel  ranks. 
All  of  the  railroad  cars  in  Richmond  were  put  upon  the  road. 

*  Grant's  Report. 


360  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

Brigades  were  hurried  through  the  streets,  piled  into  the  cars, 
and  sent  whirling  towards  Petersburg. 

While  Lee  was  watching  the  Charles  City  and  Newmarket 
roads,  north  of  the  James,  expecting  Grant  in  that  direction, 
Butler  sent  General  Terry,  with  a  portion  of  the  Tenth  Corps, 
on  a  reconnoissance  in  front  of  Bermuda  Hundred.  Terry  en- 
countered the  Rebel  pickets,  drove  them  in,  reached  tlie  main 
line,  attacked  vigorously,  broke  tlirough,  carrying  all  before 
him,  and  pushed  on  to  the  railroad  at  Port  Walthall  Junction, 
cut  down  the  telcgrapli,  and  tore  up  the  track. 

This  was  an  advantage  not  expected  by  Grant,  who  at  once 
ordered  two  divisions  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  under  Wright,  to 
report  to  Butler  at  Bermuda  Hundred  ;  but  that  officer,  instead 
of  moving  rapidly,  advanced  leisurely,  and  even  halted  awhile 

Terry  was  attacked  by  A.  P.  Hill  and  obliged  to  fall  bai.k. 
Grant  had  the  mortification  of  learning  in  the  evening  that, 
through  the  dilatory  movements  of  the  troops  under  Smith 
and  Wright,  his  plans  had  failed. 

In  the  counsels  of  the  Almighty  the  time  for  final  victory 
had  not  come.  God  reigns,  but  men  act  freely  nevertheless. 
There  have  been  numerous  instances  during  the  war  where 
great  events  hung  on  little  things.  An  interesting  chapter 
might  be  written  of  the  occasions  where  the  scales  were  seem- 
ingly evenly  balanced,  and  where,  to  the  eye  of  faith,  the  breath 
of  the  Almighty  turned  them  for  the  time. 

At  Bull  Run  the  victory  was  lost  to  the  Union  arms  through 
the  mistake  of  Captain  Barry.*  At  Pittsburg  Landing,  if  John- 
ston had  attacked  from  the  northwest  instead  of  tlie  southwest, 
—  if  he  had  deflected  his  army  a  mile,  —  far  different,  in  all 
human  probability,  would  have  been  the  result  of  that  battle. 

Was  the  arrival  of  the  Monitor  in  Hampton  Roads  on  that 
morning,  after  the  liavoc  made  by  the  Merrimac,  accidental  ? 
How  providential  rather  !  How  singular,  if  not  a  providence, 
that  the  wind  should  blow  so  wildly  from  the  southwest  on  that 
night  of  the  withdrawal  of  the  army  from  Fredericksburg,  waft- 
ing the  rumbling  of  Burnside's  artillery  and  the  tramp  of  a 
hundred  thousand  men  away  from  the  listening  ears  of  the 

•  See  "  My  Days  and  Nights  on  the  Battle-Field  " ;  also  testimony  of  Captain 
Ricketts  and  Captain  Griffin,  in  Report  of  Committee  on  Conduct  of  the  War. 


I8d4.]  TO   PETERSBURG.  861 

onemy  within  close  musket-shot !  Events  which  turn  the  scales 
according  to  our  desires  we  are  inclined  to  count  as  special 
providences  :  but  the  disaster  at  Bull  Run,  the  sitting  down  of 
McClellan  in  the  mud  at  Yorktown ;  the  lost  opportunities  for 
moving  upon  Richmond  after  Williamsburg  and  Fair  Oaks  ; 
also,  while  the  battle  was  raging  at  Gaines's  Mills  and  at  Glen- 
dale  ;  the  pusillanimous  retreat  from  Malvern ;  the  inaction  at 
Antietam ;  Hooker's  retreat  from  Chancellorsville,  —  from  Lee, 
who  also  was  in  retreat,  —  are  inexplicable  events.  Meade's 
waithig  at  Boonsboro,  Lee's  escape,  Gillmore's  unexplained 
turning  back  from  Petersburg,  Wright's  halting  when  every- 
thing depended  on  haste.  Smith's  delay,  —  all  of  these  are  mys- 
terious providences  to  us,  though  to  the  Rebels  they  were  at  the 
time  plain  interpositions  of  God.  God's  system  is  reciprocal ; 
everything  has  its  use,  everything  is  for  a  purpose.  We  read 
blindly,  but  to  reason  and  faith  there  cau  be  but  one  result,  — 
the  establishment  of  justice  and  righteousness  between  man 
and  man  and  his  Maker.  There  must  be  a  righting  of  every 
wrong,  an  atonement  for  every  crime. 

"  The  laws  of  changeless  justice  bind 
Oppressor  with  oppressed ; 
And,  close  as  sin  and  suffering  joined, 
We  march  to  fate  abreast." 

It  must  have  been  evident  to  most  observers,  that  as  the  war 
progressed  men  were  brought  to  a  recognition  of  God,  as  an 
overruling  power  iu  the  mighty  conflict.  In  the  first  uprising 
of  the  people  there  was  pure,  intense  patriotism.  The  battle  of 
Bull  Run  stung  the  loyal  masses  of  the  North,  and  filled  them 
with  a  determination  to  redeem  their  tarnished  honor.  The 
failure  of  the  Peninsular  campaigns,  the  terrible  disasters  in 
1862,  crushed  and  bruised  men's  spirits.  They  began  to  talk 
of  giving  freedom  to  the  slave  as  well  as  of  the  restoration  of 
the  Union. 

"  My  paramount  object  is  to  save  the  Union,  and  not  either 
to  save  or  destroy  slavery,"  wrote  President  Lincoln  to  Horace 
Gieeley,  August  22d,  1862,  reflecting  doubtless  the  feelings  of 
nearly  a  majority  of  the  people.  Whittier  had  already  ex- 
pressed, in  the  lines  quoted  on  pages  41,  42,  the  feelings  of  those 
who  saw  that  slavery  or  the  nation  must  die. 


862  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

Two  years  passed,  and  Abraham  Lincoln  gave  utterance  to 
other  sentiments  in  his  secona  inaugural  address  to  the  people. 
Disaster,  suffering,  a  view  of  Gettysburg  battle-field,  the  conse- 
cration of  that  cemetery  as  the  hallowed  resting-place  of  the 
patriotic  dead,  had  given  him  a  clear  insight  of  God's  truth. 
Tlius  spoke  he  from  the  steps  of  the  Capitol :  — 

"  The  Almighty  has  his  own  purposes.  Woe  unto  the  world  because 
of  offences  !  for  it  must  needs  be  that  offences  come ;  but  woe  to  that 
man  by  whom  the  offence  cometh  !  If  we  shall  suppose  that  American 
slavery  is  one  of  these  offences,  which  in  the  providence  of  God  must 
needs  come,  but  which,  having  continued  through  his  appointed  time,  he 
now^  wills  to  remove,  and  that  he  gives  to  both  North  and  South  this 
terrible  war  as  the  woe  due  to  those  by  whom  the  offence  came,  shall 
we  discern  therein  any  departure  from  those  Divine  attributes  which 
the  believers  in  a  living  God  always  ascribe  to  him  ?  Fondly  do  we 
hope,  fervently  do  we  pray,  that  the  mighty  scourge  of  war  may  speed- 
ily pass  away.  Yet  if  God  wills  that  it  continue  until  all  the  wealth 
piled  by  the  bondman's  two  hundred  aud  fifty  years  of  unrequited  toil 
shall  be  sunk,  and  until  every  drop  of  blood  drawn  with  the  lash  shall 
be  paid  by  another  drawn  by  the  sword,  as  was  said  three  thousand 
years  ago,  so  still  must  it  be  said,  the  judgments  of  the  Lord  are  true 
and  righteous  altogether." 

It  was  the  recognition  of  these  principles  that  made  the  peo- 
ple patient  under  the  severe  afflictions,  the  disasters,  the  fail- 
ures. Fathers  and  mothers,  weeping  for  their  sons  slain  in  bat> 
tie,  said  to  their  hearts,  "  Be  still !  "  for  tliey  saw  that  God  was 
leading  the  people,  through  suffering,  to  recognize  justice  and 
righteousness  as  the  Republic,  —  that  thus  he  was  saving  the 
nation  from  perdition. 

The  heroism  of  the  colored  soldiers,  and  their  splendid 
achievements,  won  the  respect  of  the  army.  Their  patriotism 
was  as  sublime,  their  courage  as  noble,  as  that  of  their  whiter- 
Imed  comrades  boasting  Anglo-Saxon  blood,  nurtured  and  re- 
fined by  centuries  of  civilization. 

On  the  morning  after  the  battle,  an  officer,  passing  through 
the  hospital,  came  upon  a  colored  soldier  who  had  lost  his  left 
leg. 

"  Well,  my  boy,  I  see  that  you  have  lost  a  leg  for  glory," 
eaid  the  officer. 


1864.]  TO   PETERSBURG.  '  863 

''  iVb,  sir  ;  I  have  not  lost  it  for  glory ^  hut  for  the  eLvation  of 
my  race!^^ 

It  was  a  reply  worthy  of  historic  record,  to  be  read,  througli 
the  coming  centuries,  by  every  sable  son  of  Africa,  and  by  every 
man,  of  whatever  lineage  or  clime,  struggling  to  V)cttej*  his 
condition. 

The  negroes  manifested  their  htimanity  as  well  as  their  pa- 
triotism. 

"  While  the  battle  was  raging,"  said  General  Ilinks,  ''  I  saw 
two  wounded  negroes  helping  a  Rebel  prisoner,  wlio  was  more 
severely  wounded,  to  the  rear." 

"  Give  the  water  to  my  suffering  soldiers,"  said  the  wounded 
Philip  Sidney.  The  incident  stands  upon  the  liistoric  page, 
and  has  been  rehearsed  in  story  and  song,  as  wortliy  of  ad- 
miration. Shall  not  this  act  of  two  unknown  colored  soldiers 
also  liavc  a  place  in  history  ? 

The  time,  we  trust,  will  come  when  men  will  be  rated  for 
what  they  are  worth,  —  when  superiority  will  consist,  not  in 
brute  force,  but  in  moral  qualities.  The  slaveholders  of  the 
South,  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  esteemed  themselves  supe- 
rior to  the  men  of  the  North,  and  immeasurably  above  their 
slaves;  but  in  contrast,  —  to  the  shame  of  tlie  slaveliolders, — 
stands  the  massacre  at  Fort  Pillow  and  tlie  Immanity  of  the 
colored  soldiers  in  front  of  Petersburg. 

On  the  night  of  the  16th,  Burnside  arrived  with  the  Ninth 
Corps.  Neill's  division  of  the  Sixth  also  arrived.  Burn- 
side  attacked  the  Rebels,  but  was  repulsed.  The  lines  were 
reconnoitred,  and  it  was  determined  to  make  a  second  as- 
sault. 

About  lialf  a  mile  soutli  of  the  house  of  Mr.  Dunn  was  the 
residence  of  Mr.  Sliand,  held  by  the  Rebels.  During  the  can- 
nonade which  preceded  the  assault,  a  Rebel  officer  entered  the 
house  and  sat  down  to  play  a  piano.  Suddenly  he  found  him- 
self sitting  on  the  floor,  the  stool  having  been  knocked  away  by 
a  solid  shot,  without  injury  to  liimself. 

The  liouse  was  a  large  two-story  structure,  fronting  east, 
painted  white,  with  great  chimneys  at  either  end,  shaded  by 
buttonwoods  and  gum-trees,  with  a  peach-orchard  in  rear. 
Fifty  paces  from  the  front-door  was  a  narrow  ravine,  fifteen 


364  THE    BOYS    OF    '61.  [JvinO. 

or  twenty  feet  deep,  with  a  brook,  fed  by  springs,  trickling 
northward.  West  of  the  house,  about  the  same  distance,  was 
another  brook,  the  two  joining  about  twenty  rods  north  of  the 
house.  A  Rebel  brigade  held  this  tongue  of  land,  with  four 
guns  beneath  the  peach-trees.  Their  main  line  of  breastworks 
was  along  the  edge  of  the  ravine  east  of  the  house.  South,  and 
on  higher  ground,  was  a  redan,  —  a  strong  work  with  two 
guns,  which  enfiladed  the  ravine.  Yet  General  Burnside 
thought  that  if  he  could  get  his  troops  into  position,  unper- 
ceived,  he  could  take  the  tongue  of  land,  which  would  break 
the  Rebel  line  and  compel  them  to  evacuate  the  redan.  Several 
attempts  had  been  made  by  the  Second  Corps  to  break  the  line 
farther  north,  but  without  avail.  This  movement,  if  not  suc- 
cessful, would  be  attended  with  great  loss ;  nevertheless,  it  was 
determined  to  make  the  assault. 

It  was  past  midnight  when  General  Potter  led  his  division 
of  the  Ninth  down  into  the  ravine.  The  soldiers  tlirew  aside 
their  knapsacks,  haversacks,  tin  plates  and  cups,  and  moved 
stealthily.  Not  a  word  was  spoken.  The  watches  of  the  officers 
in  command  had  been  set  to  a  second.  They  reached  the  ravine 
where  the  pickets  were  stationed,  and  moved  south,  keeping 
close  under  the  bank.  Above  them,  not  fifteen  paces  distant, 
were  the  Rebel  pickets,  lyhig  behind  a  bank  of  sand. 

If  their  listening  ears  caught  the  sound  of  a  movement  in 
the  ravine,  they  gave  no  alarm,  and  the  troops  took  their  posi- 
tions undisturbed.  The  moon  was  full.  Light  clouds  floated 
in  the  sky.  Not  a  sound,  save  the  distant  rumble  of  wagons, 
or  an  occasional  shot  from  the  pickets,  broke  the  silence  of  the 
night.  The  attacking  column  was  composed  of  Griffin's  and 
Ourtin's  brigades,  —  Griffin  on  the  right.  He  had  the  Seven- 
teenth Vermont  and  Eleventh  New  Hampshire  in  his  front 
line,  and  the  Ninth  New  Hampshire  and  Thirty-Second  Maine 
in  the  second.  Curtin  had  six  regiments,  —  the  Thirty-Sixtlj 
Massachusetts,  and  the  Forty-Fifth  and  Forty-Eighth  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  his  front  line  ;  the  Seventh  Rhode  Island,  Twelfth 
New  York,  and  Fifty-Eighth  Massachusetts  in  his  second  line. 

The  soldiers  were  worn  with  hard  marching  and  constant 
fighting,  and  had  but  just  arrived  from  City  Pohit,  yet  they 
took  their  positions  without  flinching      The  officers  gazed  at 


1864.] 


TO  PETERSBURG. 


865 


the  hands  of  their  watches 
m  the  moonlight,  and  saw 
them  move  on  to  the  ap- 
pointed time,  —  fifteen  min- 
utes past  three.  Twenty 
paces,  —  a  spring  up  the 
steep  bank  would  carry  the 
men  to  the  Rebel  pickets ; 
fifty  paces  to  the  muzzles 
of  the  enemy's  guns. 

"  All  ready  !  "  was  whis- 
pered from  man  to  man. 
They  rose  from  the  ground 
erect.  Not  a  gun-lock 
clicked.     The  bayonet  was  to  do  the  work. 

^^ Hurrah!  "  The  lines  rise  like  waves  of  the  sea.  There  are 
straggling  shots  from  the  Rebel  pickets,  four  flashes  of  light 
from  the  Rebel  cannon  by  the  house,  two  more  from  the  redan, 
one  volley  from  the  infantry,  wildly  aimed,  doing  little  damage. 
On,  —  up  to  the  breastworks  !  Over  them,  seizing  the  guns !  A 
minute  has  passed.  Four  guns,  six  hundred  and  fifty  prison- 
ers, fifteen  hundred  muskets,  and  four  stands  of  colors  are  the 
trophies.  The  Rebel  line  is  broken.  The  great  point  is  gained, 
compelling  Lee  to  abandon  the  ground  which  he  has  held  so 
tenaciously. 

In  the  Fifty-Seventh  Massachusetts  was  a  soldier  named 
Edward  M.  Schneider.  When  the  regiment  was  formed  he 
was  a  student  in  Phillips  Academy,  Andover.  From  motives 
of  patriotism,  against  the  wishes  of  friends,  he  left  the  literature 
of  the  ancients  and  the  history  of  the  past,  to  become  an  actor 
in  the  present  and  to  do  what  he  could  for  future  good.  His 
father  is  tlie  well-known  missionary  of  the  American  Board  at 
Aintab,  Turkey. 

On  the  marcli  frocn  Annapolis,  though  but  seventeen  years 
old,  and  unaccustomed  to  hardship,  he  kept  his  place  in  the 
ranks,  from  the  encampment  by  the  waters  of  the  Chesapeake 
to  the  Nortli  Anna,  where  he  was  slightly  wounded.  The  sur- 
geons sent  him  to  Fort  Royal  for  transportation  to  Washington, 
but  of  his  own  accord  he  returned  to  his  regiment,  joining  it  at 


866  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

Cold  Harbor.    While  preparing  for  the  charge  upon  the  enemy's 
works,  on  the  17th  instant,  he  said  to  the  chaplain,  — 

"  I  intend  to  be  the  first  one  to  enter  their  breastworks." 

The  brave  young  soldier  tried  to  make  good  his  words, 
leading  the  charge. 

He  was  almost  there,  —  not  quite :  almost  near  enough 
to  feel  tlie  hot  flash  of  the  Rebel  musketry  in  his  face;  near 
enough  to  be  covered  with  sulphurous  clouds  from  the  cannon, 
when  he  fell,  shot  through  the  body. 

He  was  carried  to  the  liospital,  with  six  hundred  and  fifty  of 
his  division  comrades ;  but  lay  all  night  with  his  wound  un- 
dressed, waiting  liis  turn  without  a  murmur.  The  chaplain 
looked  at  his  wound. 

"  What  do  you  think  of  it  ?  " 

Seeing  that  it  was  mortal,  the  chaplain  was  overcome  with 
emotion.  He  remembered  the  last  injunction  of  the  young 
soldier's  sister:  "I  commit  him  to  your  care." 

The  young  hero  interpreted  the  meaning  of  tlic  tears,  —  that 
there  was  no  hope. 

"  Do  not  weep,"  said  he  ;  "  it  is  God's  will.  I  wish  you  to 
write  to  my  father,  and  tell  him  that  I  have  tried  to  do  my  duty 
to  my  country  and  to  God." 

He  disposed  of  his  few  effects,  giving  ten  dollars  to  the 
Christian  Commission,  twenty  dollars  to  the  American  Board, 
and  trifles  to  his  friends.  Tlien,  hi  the  simplicity  of  liis  heart, 
said,  — 

"  I  have  a  good  many  friends,  schoohnates,  and  companions. 
1'hey  will  want  to  know  where  I  am,  —  how  1  am  getting  on. 
You  can  let  them  know  that  I  am  gone,  and  that  I  die  content. 
And,  cliaplain,  the  boys  in  the  regiment,  —  I  want  you  to  tell 
them  to  stand  by  the  dear  old  flag !  And  there  is  my  brother 
in  tlic  navy,  —  write  to  him  and  tell  him  to  stand  by  the  flag 
and  cling  to  the  cross  of  Christ !  " 

The  surgeon  examined  the  wound. 

"  It  is  my  duty  to  tell  you  that  you  will  soon  go  liome," 
said  lie. 

"  Yes,  doctor,  I  am  going  home.  I  am  not  afraid  to  die.  1 
don't  know  how  the  valley  will  be  when  1  get  to  it,  but  it  is  ail 
bright  now." 


1864.]  TO  PETERSBURG.  367 

Then,  gathering  up  his  waning  strength,  he  repeated  tho 
verse  often  sung  by  the  soldiers,  who,  amid  all  the  whirl  and 
excitement  of  the  camp  and  battle-field,  never  forget  those 
whom  they  have  left  behind  them,  —  mother,  sister,  father, 
brother.  Calmly,  clearly,  distinctly  ho  repeated  tho  lines,- 
the  chorus  of  the  song : 

"  Soon  with  angels  1  '11  be  marching, 
With  bright  laurels  on  my  brow ; 
I  have  for  my  country  fallen,  — 
^Vho  will  care  for  sister  now  ?  ** 

The  night  wore  away.  Death  stole  on.  He  suffered  m- 
tense  pain,  but  not  a  murmur  escaped  his  lips.  Sabbath 
morning  dawned,  and  with  the  coming  of  the  light  he  passed 
away. 

"  I  die  content,"  said  Wolfe,  at  Quebec,  when  told  that  tho 
French  were  fleeing. 

"  Stand  up  for  Jesus,"  said  Dudley  Tyng,  in  his  last  hours : 
words  which  have  warmed  and  moved  thousands  of  Christian 
hearts. 

"  Let  me  die  with  my  face  to  tho  enemy,"  was  the  last 
request  of  General  Rice,  Christian,  soldier,  and  patriot,  at 
Spottsylvania ;  but  equally  worthy  of  remembrance  are  tho 
words  of  Edward  M.  Schneider, — boy,  student,  youthful  leader 
of  the  desperate  charge  at  Petersburg.  They  are  the  essence 
of  all  that  Wolfe  and  Tyng  and  Rice  uttered  in  their  last  mo- 
ments. His  grave  is  near  the  roadside,  marked  by  a  rude 
paling.  The  summer  breeze  sweeps  through  the  sighing  pines 
above  the  heaved-up  mound.  Mournful,  yet  sweet,  tho  music 
of  the  wind-harp ;  —  mournful,  in  that  one  so  young,  so  full 
of  life  and  hope  and  promise,  should  go  so  soon ;  sweet,  in 
that  he  did  his  work  so  nobly.  Had  he  lived  a  century  he 
could  not  have  completed  it  more  thoroughly  or  faithfully. 
His  was  a  short  soldier's  life,  extending  only  from  the  peace- 
ful shades  of  Andover  to  the  intrenchments  of  Petersburg; 
but  0,  how  full ! 

Will  the  tree  of  Liberty  prematurely  decay,  if  nourished  by 
such  life-giving  blood  ?  It  is  costly,  but  the  fruit  is  precious. 
For  pain  and  anguish,  waste  and  desolation,  we  have  such  ricn 
recompense  as  this,  —  such  examples  of  patriotic  ardor,  heroic 


868 


THE   BOYS   OF   '61. 


[June, 


daring,  and  Christian  fortitude,  that  make  men  nobler,  nations 
greater,  aud  the  world  better  by  their  contemplation. 

I  have  stood  by  the  honored  dust  of  those  whose  names  are 
great  in  history,  whose  deeds  and  virtues  are  commemorated 
in  brass  and  marble,  who  were  venerated  while  living  and 
mourned  when  dead ;  but  never  have  I  felt  a  profounder  rev- 
erence for  departed  worth  than  for  this  young  Christian  sol- 
dier, uncoffined,  unshrouded,  wrapped  only  in  his  blanket, 
and  sleeping  serenely  beneath  the  evergreen  pines. 

His  last  words  —  the  messages  to  his  comrades,  to  his  father, 
and  his  brother  —  are  worthy  to  live  so  long  as  the  flag  of  our 
country  shall  wave  or  the  cross  of  Christ  endure. 

"  Stand  up  for  the  dear  old  flag  and  cling  to  the  cross  of 
Christ !  "  They  are  the  emblems  of  all  our  hopes  for  time  and 
eternity.  Short,  full,  rounded,  complete  his  life.  Triumphant, 
glorious  his  death  ! 


Grant  determined  to  assault  all  along  the  line  on  the  morning 
of  the  18th,  as  nearly  the  entire  army  had  arrived.  Lee,  how- 
ever, fell  back  during  the  night  to  a  new  position  nearer  the  city. 

But  the  attack  was  made.  The 
Eighteenth,  Second,  and  Sixth  Corps 
gained  no  advantage  ;  but  the  Ninth 
and  Fifth  drove  the  Rebels  across  the 
Norfolk  Railroad,  and  reached  the  Je- 
rusalem plank-road.  The  position  of 
the  besieging  army  is  shown  by  the 
accompanying  diagram. 

On  the  21st  of  June  Grant  attempt- 
ed to  take  the  Wcldon  Railroad  with 
the  Second  and  Sixth  Corps,  but  was 
opposed  by  the  Rebels  on  Davis's  farm,  beyond  the  Jerusalem 
road,  and  a  battle  ensued. 

The  engagement  was  renewed  the  next  day.  There  was  a  gap 
in  tlic  lines,  of  which  A.  P.  Hill  took  advantage,  and  attacked 
Barlow's  division  in  flank.  A  severe  struggle  followed,  in 
whic^li  Gibbon's  division  lost  four  guns.  The  battle  was  contin- 
ued on  the  23d,  but  no  farther  progress  was  made.  The  troops 
tiad  been  fighting,  marching,  or  building  l>reastworks  for  fony 


ARMY    CORPS   CHAPEL   NEAR  PETERSBURG. 


/ 


1864  J  TO  PETERSBURG.  869 

seven  days,  without  interruption.  Daily  and  nightly,  from  the 
Rapidan  to  the  Weldon  road,  they  had  been  in  constant  action 
The  troops  were  exhausted.  Grant  had  lost  seventy  thousand. 
The  reinforcements  which  had  reached  him  were  inexperi- 
enced. Men  when  physically  prostrated  are  indifferent  to  com- 
mands. Discipline  becomes  lax.  Hundreds  of  efficient  ofQcers 
had  fallen  during  the  campaign.  Brigades  were  commanded 
by  majors,  regiments  by  captains,  companies  by  corporals.  The 
army  needed  thorough  reorganization.  The  right  of  the  line 
was  sufficiently  near  to  Petersburg  to  commence  siege  opera- 
tions.  Intrenchments  were  accordingly  thrown  up  and  guns 
mounted,  and  the  army  enjoyed  comparative  rest.  But  it  was  a 
rest  under  fire,  day  and  night,  the  Ninth  and  Eighteenth  Corps 
especially  being  constantly  harassed  by  the  enemy,  who  were 
bitterly  opposed  to  the  employment  of  colored  troops.  It  was 
systematic  hostility,  —  ingrained,  revengeful,  relentless.  They 
would  not  recognize  or  treat  them  as  prisoners  of  war.  Slavery 
long  before  had  proclaimed  that  black  men  had  no  rights  which 
white  men  were  bound  to  respect.  For  them  was  no  mercy ; 
only  the  fate  of  their  compatriots  at  Fort  Pillow  awaited  them, 
if  taken  in  arms  against  their  former  masters,  though  wearing 
the  uniform  of  the  republic  which  had  given  them  freedom  and 
sent  them  to  battle. 

There  was  a  tacit  understanding  between  the  soldiers  of  the 
Fifth  and  the  enemy  in  front  of  them  that  there  should  bo  no 
picket-firing.  They  filled  their  canteens  at  the  same  spring 
and  had  friendly  conversations.  But  not  so  in  front  of  the 
Ninth,  in  which  thirty  were  wounded  or  killed  every  twenty- 
four  hours.  Such  was  the  unnecessary  sacrifice  of  life  to  this 
Moloch  of  our  generation !  There  were  those  in  the  army,  as 
well  as  out  of  it,  who  were  not  willing  that  the  colored  soldier 
should  be  recognized  as  a  man. 

"  The  negroes  ought  not  to  be  allowed  to  fight,''  said  a  Massar 
chusetts  captain  to  me. 

"  Why  not,  sir  ?  " 

"  Because  the  Rebels  hate  us  for  making  them  soldiers,"  was 
the  reply  ;  and  adding,  dubiously,  "  I  don't  know  but  that  the 
negroes  have  souls  ;  but  I  look  upon  them  as  a  lower  order  of 
beings  than  ourselves." 

24 


370  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

The  old  prejudice  remained.  We  were  not  willing  to  deal 
fairly.  We  asked  the  negro  to  help  fight  our  battles,  but  we 
were  willing  to  pay  him  only  half  a  soldier's  wages,  as  if  we 
feared  this  simple  act  of  justice  might  be  construed  as  an  ac- 
knowledgment of  his  social  as  well  as  civil  equality. 

Through  all  the  weary  months  of  fighting  and  exposure  the 
wants  of  the  soldiers  were  greatly  relieved  by  the  Sanitary  and 
Christian  Commissions.  The  warm-hearted  people  in  the  North 
never  ceased  their  contributions.  The  machinery  of  both  those 
excellent  organizations  was  so  perfect  that  the  soldiers  had  quick 
relief. 

The  power  of  any  force  —  moral  and  religious  as  well  as  me- 
chanical —  is  in  proportion  to  the  directness  of  its  application. 
I  recall,  in  this  connection,  a  hot,  dry,  sultry  day.  The  sun 
shone  from  a  brazen  sky.  The  grass  and  shrubs  were  scorched, 
withered,  and  powdered  with  dust,  which  rose  in  clouds  behind 
every  passing  wagon.  Even  the  aspens  were  motionless,  and 
there  was  not  air  enough  to  stir  the  long,  lithe  needles  of  the 
pines.  The  birds  of  the  forest  sought  the  deepest  shade,  and 
hushed  even  their  twitter.  It  was  difficult  for  men  in  robust 
health  to  breathe,  and  they  picked  out  the  coolest  places  and 
gave  themselves  up  to  the  languor  of  the  hour.  It  required  an 
earnest  effort  to  do  anything.  Yet  through  this  blazing  day 
men  crouched  in  the  trenches  from  morning  till  night,  or  lay 
in  their  shallow  rifle-pits,  watching  the  enemy,  —  parched, 
broiled,  burned,  not  daring  to  raise  their  heads  or  lift  their 
hands.     To  do  so  was  to  suffer  death  or  wounds. 

The  hospital  tents,  though  pitched  in  the  woods,  were  like 
ovens,  absorbing  and  holdino;  the  heat  of  the  sun,  whoso  rays 
the  branches  of  the  trees  but  partially  excluded.  Upon  the 
ground  lay  the  sick  and  wounded,  fevered  and  sore,  with  ener- 
gies exhausted,  perspiration  oozing  from  their  faces,  nerves 
quivering  and  trembling,  pulses  faint  and  feeble,  and  life  ebb- 
ing away.  Their  beds  were  pine  boughs.  They  lay  as  they 
came  from  the  battle-field,  wearing  their  soiled,  torn,  and 
bloody  garments,  and  tantalized  by  myriads  of  flies. 

The  surgeons  in  charge  were  kind-hearted  and  attentive. 
Tliey  used  all  means  in  their  power  to  make  their  patients  com- 
fortable.    Was  this  the  place  where  the  sick  were  to  regain 


1864.]  TO   PETERSBURG.  371 

their  health,  far  from  home  and  friends  !      With  nothing  to 
cheer  them,  hope  was  dying  out,  and  despondency  setting  in ; 
.  and  memory,  ever  busy,  was  picturing  the  dear  old  home  scenes, 
so  painfully  in  contrast  with  their  dismal  present. 

It  was  the  Sabbath,  and  there  were  many  among  the  suf- 
fering thousands  who  had  been  accustomed  to  observe  the  day 
as  one  of  worship  and  rest  from  toil  and  care.  In  imagination 
they  heard  the  pealing  of  church-bells,  the  grand  and  solemn 
music  of  the  organ,  or-  the  hum  of  children's  voices  in  the  Sab 
bath  school. 

There  were  no  clouds  to  shut  out  the  sun,  but  the  brazen 
dome  of  the  sky  glowed  with  steady  heat.  The  Christian  Com- 
mission tent  had  been  besieged  all  day  by  soldiers,  who  wanted 
onions,  pickles,  lemons,  oranges,  —  anything  sour,  anything  to 
tempt  the  taste.  A  box  of  oranges  had  been  brought  from  City 
Point  the  night  before.  It  was  suggested  that  they  be  dis- 
tributed at  once  to  the  sick  and  wounded.  "  Certainly,  by  all 
means,"  was  the  unanimous  voice  of  the  Commission.  I  volun- 
teered to  be  the  distributor. 

Go  with  me  through  the  tents  of  the  sufferers.  Some  are 
lying  down,  with  eyes  closed,  faces  pale,  and  cheeks  sunken. 
The  paleness  underlies  the  bronze  which  the  sun  has  burned 
upon  them.  Some  are  half  reclining  on  their  elbows,  bolstered 
hj  knaj)sacks,  and  looking  into  vacancy,  —  thinking,  perhaps, 
of  home  and  kin,  and  wondering  if  they  will  ever  see  them 
again.  Others  are  reading  papers  which  delegates  of  the  Com- 
mission have  distributed.  Some  of  the  poor  fellows  have  but 
one  leg ;  others  but  the  stump  of  a  thigh  or  an  arm,  with  the 
lightest  possible  dressing  to  keep  down  the  fever.  Yesterday 
those  men,  in  the  full  tide  of  life,  stood  in  the  trenches  con- 
fronting the  enemy.  Now  they  are  shattered  wrecks,  having, 
perhaps,  wife  and  children  or  parents  dependent  upon  them ; 
with  no  certainty  of  support  for  themselves  even  but  the  small 
bounty  of  government,  which  they  have  earned  at  such  fearful 
sacrifice.  But  their  future  will  be  brightened  with  the  proud 
consciousness  of  duty  done  and  country  saved,  —  the  survivhig 
soldier's  chief  recompense  for  all  the  toil  and  suffering  and 
privation  of  the  camp  and  field. 

As  we  enter  the  tent  they  catch  a  sight  of  the  golden  fruit. 


872  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.   ^  [June, 

There  is  a  commotion.  Those  half  asleep  rub  their  eyes,  those 
partially  reclining  sit  up,  those  lying  with  their  backs  toward 
us  turn  over  to  see  what  is  going  on,  those  so  feeble  that  they 
cannot  move  ask  what  is  the  matter.  They  gaze  wistfully  at 
our  luscious  burden.  Their  eyes  gleam,  but  not  one  of  them 
asks  for  an  orange.  They  wait.  Through  the  stern  discipline 
of  war  they  have  learned  to  be  patient,  to  endure,  to  remain  in 
suspense,  to  stand  still  and  be  torn  to  pieces.  They  are  true 
heroes ! 

"  Would  you  like  an  orange,  sir  ?  " 

"  Thank  you." 

It  is  all  he  can  say.  He  is  lying  upon  his  back.  A  minnie 
bullet  has  passed  through  his  body,  and  he  cannot  be  moved. 
He  has  a  noble  brow,  a  manly  countenance.  Tears  moisten  his 
eyes  and  roll  down  his  sunken  cheeks  as  he  takes  it  from  my 
hand. 

"  It  is  a  gift  of  the  Cliristian  Commission,  and  I  accept  your 
thanks  for  those  who  made  the  contribution." 

"  Bully  for  the  Christian  Commission,"  shouts  a  wide-awake, 
jolly  soldier,  near  by,  with  an  ugly  wound  in  his  left  arm. 

"  Thank  you,"  "  God  bless  the  Commission,"  "  I  say.  Bill, 
^e  n't  they  bully  ?  "  are  the  expressions  I  hear  behind  me. 

In  one  of  the  wards  I  came  upon  a  soldier  who  had  lost  his 
leg  the  day  before.  Uo  was  lying  upon  his  side ;  he  was  ro- 
bust, healthy,  strong,  and  brave.  The  hours  dragged  heavily. 
I  stood  before  him,  and  yet  he  did  not  see  me.  He  was  stab- 
bing his  knife  into  a  chip,  with  nervous  energy,  trying  to  forget 
the  pain,  to  bridge  over  the  lonely  hours,  and  shut  the  gloom 
out  of  the  future.     I  touched  his  elbow ;  he  looked  up. 

"  Would  you  like  an  orange  ?  " 

"  By  jingo  !  that  is  worth  a  hundred  dollars  !  " 

He  grasped  it  as  a  drowning  man  clutches  a  chip. 

"  Where  did  this  come  from  ?  " 

**  The  Christian  Commission  had  a  box  arrive  last  night." 

"  The  Christian  Commission  ?  My  wife  belongs  to  that.  She 
wrote  to  me  about  it  last  week, —  that  they  met  to  make  shirts 
for  the  Commission." 

"  Then  you  have  a  wife  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  three  children." 


1864.]  TO   PETERSBURG.  37^ 

His  voice  faltered.  Ah!  the  soldier  never  forgets  home. 
He  dashed  away  a  tear,  took  in  a  long  breath,  and  was  strong 
again. 

"  Where  do  you  hail  from,  soldier  ?  " 

"  From  old  Massachusetts.  I  had  a  snug  little  home  upon 
the  banks  of  the  Connecticut ;  but  I  told  my  wife  that  I  did  n't 
feel  just  right  to  stay  there,  when  I  was  needed  out  here,  and 
60  I  came,  and  here  I  am.  I  shall  write  home,  and  tell  Mary 
about  the  Christian  Commission.  I  have  been  wishing  all  day 
that  I  had  an  orange  ;  I  knew  it  was  no  use  to  wish.  I  did  n't 
suppose  there  was  one  in  camp  ;  besides,  here  I  am,  not  able  to 
move  a  peg.  I  thank  you,  sir,  for  bringing  it.  I  shall  tell  my 
wife  all  about  it." 

These  expressions  of  gratitude  were  not  indifferent  utteran- 
ces of  courtesy,  but  came  from  full  hearts.  Those  sun-burned 
sufferers  recognized  the  religion  of  Jesus  in  the  gift.  The 
Christian  religion,  thus  exemplified,  was  not  a  cold  abstraction, 
but  a  reality,  providing  for  the  health  of  the  body  as  well  as 
the  soul.  It  was  easy  to  converse  with  those  men  concerning 
their  eternal  well-being.  They  could  not  oppose  a  Christianity 
that  manifested  such  regard  for  their  bodily  comfort.  Such  a 
religion  commended  itself  to  their  hearts  and  understandings. 
Thus  the  Commission  became  a  great  missionary  enterprise. 
Farina,  oranges,  lemons,  onions,  pickles,  comfort-bags,  shirts, 
towels,  given  and  distributed  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  though  de- 
signed for  the  body,  gave  strength  to  the  soul.  To  the  quick- 
ened senses  of  a  wounded  soldier  parched  with  fever,  far  from 
home  and  friends,  an  onion  was  a  stronger  argument  for  the  re- 
ligion which  bestowed  it  than  the  subtle  reasoning  of  Renan< 
and  a  pickle  sharper  than  the  keenest  logic  of  Colenso  ! 

Visiting  Washington  one  day,  I  passed  through  several  of 
the  hospitals,  and  was  present  when  the  delegates  came  to  the 
head-quarters  of  the  Commission  and  narrated  their  experiences 
of  the  day.  About  fifty  were  present.  Their  work  was  wash- 
ing and  dressing  woimds,  aiding  the  sick  and  wounded  in  every 
way  possible,  distributing  reading  matter,  writing  letters  for 
those  unable  to  write,  with  religious  exercises  and  conversation. 
No  delegate  was  allowed  to  give  jellies  or  wines  as  food,  or  to 
hold  meetings  in  any  ward,  without  permission  of  the  surgeon 


374  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

in  charge,  which  usually  was  granted.  It  was  a  rule  of  the 
Commission,  and  not  of  the  Medical  Department.  The  design 
was  to  do  everything  possible  for  the  good  of  the  men,  and 
nothing  for  their  hurt.  One  delegate  said  that  he  found  fully 
one  third  of  the  men  in  his  wards  professing  Christians.  They 
were  glad  to  see  him,  and  rejoiced  to  obtain  religious  reading. 
A  few  days  before  he  had  given  an  old  man  a  book  entitled  the 
"  Blood  of  Jesus." 

"  I  have  found  Jesus,  and  0,  he  is  so  precious !  "  said  the 
old  soldier. 

Another  delegate  said  :  "  I  found  among  the  patients  a  min- 
ister who  enlisted  as  a  private.  He  has  been  in  the  hospi- 
tal sixteen  months,  and  has  maintained  his  Christian  character 
through  all  the  trials  of  camp  and  hospital  life.  I  found  some 
convalescents  playing  cards. 

"  '  My  boys,  you  don't  play  cards  on  Sunday,  do  you  ?  ' 

"  '  It  is  n't  Sunday,  is  it  ?  Why,  hang  it  all,  chaplain,  wo 
can't  keep  track  of  the  days  in  the  army.' 

"  I  talked  to  them  of  home  and  of  their  mothers.  The  tears 
rolled  down  their  cheeks.  They  put  up  their  cards,  and  read 
the  papers  I  gave  them." 

"  I  never  saw  men  so  ready  to  receive  religious  instruction," 
said  another  delegate,  "  or  who  were  so  easily  impressed  with 
its  truths.  I  am  satisfied  that  this  is  a  golden  opportunity  to 
the  Christian  Church.  I  found  a  young  man  to-day  who  said, 
*  I  want  you,  chaplain,  to  tell  me  just  what  I  have  to  do  to  be 
a  Christian.  I  will  do  just  what  you  say.  I  want  to  be  a  Chris- 
tian.' It  was  a  sincere  desire.  I  find  that  the  Catholics  are 
just  as  eager  to  have  religious  instruction  as  others." 

"  I  found  a  sergeant  from  Massachusetts,  very  low,  but  ho 
met  me  with  a  smile.  '  It  is  all  right,  I  am  happy,  and  I  die 
content.     Tell  my  friends  so,'  "  reported  another. 

"  I  have  been  over  the  river  to  see  some  detached  regi- 
ments," said  a  chaplain.  "  I  asked  one  noble-looking  soldier 
if  he  loved  Jesus  ? 

"  '  No,  I  don't.' 

"  '  Are  you  married  ? ' 

"  '  No  ;  but  I  have  a  sister.  She  is  n't  a  Christian,  but  she 
«rrote  to  me  that  she  wanted  me  to  become  one,  and  I  wrote 


1864.]  TO  PETERSBURG.  875 

to  her  that  I  wanted  her  to  be  one  ;  and  I  guessj  chaplain,  that 
everybody  who  believes  the  Bible  feels  just  so.  If  they  ain't 
good  themselves,  they  want  their  friends  to  be.' 

"  I  found  another  soldier  writing  a  letter  on  a  little  bit  of 
paper.     I  gave  him  a  full  sheet  and  an  envelope. 

"  '  Are  you  a  Christian  Commission  man  ?  ' 

" '  Yes.' 

"  '  You  are  a  d —  good  set  of  fellows.' 

"  ^  Hold  on,  soldier,  not  quite  so  hard.' 

"  *  I  beg  your  pardon,  chaplain,  I  did  n't  mean  to  swear,  but, 
darn  it  all,  I  have  got  into  the  habit  out  here  in  the  army,  and 
It  comes  right  out  before  I  think.' 
^  *  Won't  you  try  to  leave  it  off  ? ' 

"  '  Yes,  chaplain,  I  will.'  " 

Said  another  delegate :  "  I  went  among  the  men,  and  they 
all  gathered  round  me  with  great  eagerness.  They  were  a  lit- 
tle disappointed,  however,  when  they  saw  that  I  was  a  delegate 
of  the  Commission.     They  took  me  to  be  the  paymaster. 

"  But  I  have  something  that  is  better  than  gold." 

"  '  Give  me  some  of  it,'  said  one,  who  was  the  son  of  a  Baptist 
minister,  a  tender-hearted  Christian." 

One,  just  returned  from  the  army  at  Petersburg,  said :  "  I 
came  across  a  drummer-boy  of  one  of  the  Massachusetts  regi- 
ments, a  member  of  the  Sabbath  school  at  home,  who  lost  his 
Bible  during  the  campaign,  but  he  has  written  the  heads  of 
his  drum  all  over  with  texts  of  Scripture  from  memory. 
He  beats  a  Gospel  drum." 

An  hour  was  passed  with  such  narration  interspersed  with 
devotional  exercises.  Glorious  their  work  !  Sweet  the  music 
of  their  parting  hymn  :  — 

"  Nearer,  my  God,  to  thee, 

Nearer  to  thee ; 

E'en  though  it  be  a  cross  that  raiseth  me, 

Still  all  my  song  shall  be, 

Nearer,  my  God,  to  thee, 

Nearer  to  thee." 


B76  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

SIEGE    OPERATIONS. 

The  Norfolk  Railroad  enters  Petersburg  through  a  ravine. 
In  the  attack  upon  the  enemy's  lines,  on  the  18th  of  June,  the 
hollow  was  gained  and  held  by  Burnside's  troops,  their  most 
advanced  position  being  about  four  hundred  feet  from  the  Rebel 
line. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Henry  Pleasants,  commanding  the  Forty- 
Eighth  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  a  practical  miner,  conceived  the 
idea  of  excavating  a  tunnel  under  the  Rebel  works  and  explod- 
ing a  mine.  He  submitted  the  plan  to  Burnside,  who  approved 
it.  General  Meade  said  it  could  not  be  done.  Major  Duano, 
of  the  Engineers,  laughed  at  the  idea.  Other  officers,  of  high 
rank,  scouted  the  project.  Colonel  Pleasants  was  fully  con 
vinced  of  its  practicability,  and  set  his  men  to  work. 

He  made  application  at  head-quarters  for  a  theodolite  to 
make  a  triangulation  of  the  distance,  but  was  refused  its  use. 
He  was  obliged  to  send  to  Washington  to  obtain  one.  No  facil 
ities  were  granted  him.  He  could  neither  obtain  boards,  lum- 
ber, or  mining-picks.  But  his  regiment,  numbering  four  hun- 
dred men,  were  mostly  miners,  and  he  was  confident  of  success. 
Work  was  accordingly  commenced  on  the  25th  of  June,  at  noon. 
No  wheelbarrows  being  provided,  the  men  were  obliged  to  make 
hand-barrows  of  cracker-boxes.  But  they  were  at  home  in  the 
earth,  and  not  easily  discouraged  by  difficulties  or  want  of 
proper  tools  to  work  with,  and  pushed  forward  the  gallery, 
which  was  about  four  and  a  half  feet  high  and  the  same  in 
width,  with  great  zeal.  The  earth  brought  out  was  covered 
with  bushes,  to  conceal  it  from  the  Rebels,  who  by  its  fresh 
appearance  might  suspect  where  the  mine  was  being  sunk,  as 
it  was  known  throughout  the  army  that  mining  operations  had 
been  commenced,  and  the  Rebels  had  heard  of  it.     The  Rich- 


1864.]  MEGE  OPERATIONS.  877 

mond  papers  published  the  news,  and  it  was  heralded  through 
the  North. 

At  every  discharge  of  the  Rebel  artillery  there  was  danger 
of  the  caving  in  of  the  earth  ;  but  Pleasants'  daring  burrow- 
ers  crept  steadily  forward,  till  the  noise  overhead,  as  well  as 
previous  measurements,  convinced  them  that  they  were  imme- 
diately under  the  Rebel  works.  The  main  gallery  was  five 
hundred  and  ten  feet  in  length,  beside  which  were  two  lateral 
galleries,  one  thirty-seven  and  the  other  thirty-eight  feet  in 
length. 

A  short  distance  from  the  entrance,  inside  of  the  Union  for- 
tifications, a  vertical  shaft  was  sunk,  in  which  a  fire  was  kept 
constantly  burning,  to  produce  ventilation.  Eight  magazines 
were  placed  in  the  lateral  galleries,  charged  with  four  tons  of 
powder,  strongly  tamped,  and  connected  by  fuses.  The  mine 
was  completed  on  the  23d  of  July. 

Grant  planned  an  assault  upon  the  Rebel  line,  independently 
of  the  explosion  of  the  mine.  He  sent  two  divisions  of  the 
Second  Corps,  with  two  divisions  of  Sheridan's  cavalry,  to  the 
Army  of  the  James,  at  Deep  Bottom,  where  an  attack  was 
made,  four  guns  captured,  and  the  line  extended  from  Deep 
Bottom  to  the  New  Market  road.  Lee  attempted  to  recover 
his  lost  ground,  but  failed.  Grant,  in  this  expedition,  em- 
ployed an  immense  train  of  empty  baggage-wagons,  which, 
passing  in  sight  of  the  Rebel  pickets,  made  the  movement  an 
enigma  to  Lee.  The  Rebels  in  the  fortifications  had  com- 
menced a  counter-mine,  but  suspended  labor. 

General  Burnside  wished  that  the  colored  troops  of  his  divis- 
ion, under  General  Ferrero,  should  lead  in  the  assault  after  the 
mine  was  exploded  ;  and  the  troops  were  drilled  with  that 
special  object  in  view.  He  believed  that  they  would  make  a 
successful  charge.  They  were  fresh,  had  taken  but  little  pail; 
in  the  campaign,  and  were  desirous  of  emulating  the  exam- 
ple of  their  comrades  of  the  Eighteenth  Corps.  The  white 
troops  were  worn  with  hard  marching,  fighting,  and  exposure 
in  the  trenches  in  front  of  Petersburg,  where  they  had  been 
on  the  watch  day  and  night.  The  lines  were  so  near  to  the 
Rebels  that  a  man  could  not  show  his  head  above  the  parapet 
without  being  shot.     They  had  acquired  the  habit  of  taking 


B78  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

their  positions  by  covered  approaches',  and  had  lost  the  resolute 
confidence  and  fearlessness  manifested  at  the  beginning  of  the 
campaigns. 

General  Meade  objected  to  Burnside's  plan. 

"  I  objected,"  says  Meade,  "  not  that  I  had  any  reason  to 
believe  that  the  colored  troops  would  not  do  their  duty  as  well 
ds  the  white  troops,  but  that  they  were  a  new  division,  and  had 
never  been  under  fire,  had  never  been  tried,  and,  as  this  was 
an  operation  which  I  knew  beforehand  was  one  requiring  the 
very  best  troops,  I  thought  it  impolitic  to  trust  to  a  division  of 
whose  reliability  we  had  no  evidence."  * 

The  matter  was  referred  to  General  Grant,  who  says :  — 

"  General  Burnside  wanted  to  put  his  colored  division  in  front,  and 
I  believe  if  he  had  done  so  it  would  have  been  a  success.  Still  I 
agreed  with  General  Meade  in  his  objections  to  the  plan.  General 
Meade  said  that  if  we  put  the  colored  troops  in  front  (we  had  only  one 
division),  and  it  should  prove  a  failure,  it  would  then  be  said,  probably, 
that  we  were  shoving  those  people  ahead  to  get  killed,  because  we  did 
not  care  anything  about  them.  But  that  could  not  be  said  if  we  put 
white  troops  in  front."  | 

General  Burnside  had  three  divisions  of  white  troops ;  as 
there  were  reasons  for  assigning  either  of  the  divisions  to  lead 
the  assault,  lots  were  cast,  and  the  duty  fell  upon  General 
Ledlie. 

Burnside  was  directed  by  Meade  to  form  his  troops  d\.ring 
the  night,  and  be  ready  to  assault  at  daylight  on  the  30th.  His 
pioneers  were  to  be  equipped  to  destroy  the  enemy's  abatis. 
Intrenching  tools  were  provided,  so  that  if  successful  in  break- 
ing the  Rebel  lines,  the  position  might  be  quickly  secured. 

Portions  of  the  Fifth  and  Eighteenth  Corps  were  brought  up 
to  support  the  Ninth. 

The  field  artillery  was  to  be  harnessed  for  inmaediate  use 
The  siege  artillery  was  to  open  a  heavy  fire.  The  Second 
Corps,  at  Deep  Bottom,  was  to  move  to  the  rear  of  the  Eigh- 
teenth, and  be  ready  for  any  emergency.  Sheridan,  with 
the  cavalry,  was  ordered  to  attack  south  and  east  of  Peters- 
burg.    The  Engineers  were  to  have  sandbags,  gabions,  and  fas- 


•  Attack  on  Petersburg,  Report  of  Committee  on  Conduct  of  the  War,  p.  4. 
1   Ihid.,  p.  5. 


• 


1864.]  SIEGE   OPERATIONS.  879 

cines  in  readiness.  The  mine  was  to  be  fired  at  half  j,Ast  three, 
and  simultaneously  Avitli  the  explosion  the  assaulting  column 
was  to  rush  into  the  gap. 

"  Promptitude,rapidity  of  execution,  and  cordial  co-operation 
are  essential  to  success,"  wrote  General  Meade,  in  his  conclud 
ing  orders. 

The  movements  and  preparations  were  completed  before  tliree 
o'clock.  Tlic  moon  was  shining  brightly,  but  the  Rebels  made 
no  discovery  of  the  change  of  position  and  massing  of  troops 
in  rear  of  the  Ninth  Corps.  The  heights  near  the  hospitals  were 
covered  by  teamsters,  ambulance  drivers,  surgeons,  and  civil- 
ians, waiting  with  intense  interest  for  the  expected  uplieaval. 

Half  past  tlu'cc  came,  and  the  fuse  was  lighted.  A  stream  of 
fire  ran  quickly  along  the  gallery,  but  no  explosion  followed. 
Had  the  fuse  failed  ?  Lieutenant  Douty  and  Sergeant  Reese 
went  boldly  in  to  ascertain,  and  found  the  fire  had  gone  out 
one  hundred  feet  from  the  entrance.  The  fuse  was  relighted, 
but  it  was  almost  five  o'clock,  and  the  anxious  spectators 
began  to  speculate  as  to  the  cause  of  the  delay. 

Grant  and  Meade  were  at  the  front.  The  troops  tliought  the 
whole  thing  a  failure,  and  began  to  ridicule  the  Pennsylvania 
miners. 

Fleming's  Rebel  brigade,  composed  of  the  Seventeenth,  Eigh- 
teenth, and  Twenty-Second  North  Carolinians,  was  asleep  over 
the  mine.  The  pickets  only  were  awake.  Pegram's  batterv 
was  also  in  the  redoubt. 

Finally  there  came  a  trembling  of  the  earth,  then  a  bursting 
forth  of  volcanic  flames  and  rolling  up  of  dense  clouds  of  smoke. 
A  mountain  of  rubbish  rose  in  the  air.  Earth,  men,  planks, 
timbers,  cannon,  shot  and  shell,  were  hurled  upward  and  out- 
ward !  The  sight  was  terribly  grand.  To  add  to  the  fright- 
fulness  of  the  eruption  and  the  grandeur  of  the  spectacle,  one 
hundred  guns  instantly  belched  forth  tlieir  thunders.  The 
Rebels  were  surprised  and  panic-stricken  for  the  moment,  and 
ran  to  escape  the  falling  earth  and  timbers,  leaving  their  artil- 
lery silent.  A  huge  gap  had  been  made  in  the  Rebel  works, 
four  or  five  hundred  feet  in  length  and  twenty  feet  in  depth. 

Success  depended  upon  the  immediate  occupation  of  the 
breach.     Ten  minutes  passed  before  Ledlie   moved,  and  then 


880  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Juue, 

he  only  advanced  to  the  crater.  The  Rebels  offered  no  oppo- 
sition. The  important  point  to  be  gained  and  held  was  a  ridge 
four  hundred  yards  beyond.  Lcdlie  still  halted  in  the  exca- 
vation. Wilcox  and  Potter  soon  followed  him,  and  the  three 
divisions  became  intermixed,  and  general  confusion  prevailed. 
An  hour  of  precious  time  was  lost.  Ledlie  made  no  attempt 
to  move  in  or  out,  and  Potter  and  Wilcox  could  not  go  for 
ward  while  he  blocked  the  way. 

The  enemy  gradually  recovered  from  their  stupor,  and  began 
to  fire  from  the  hills,  and  batteries  of  artillery  were  brought  up 
on  the  right  and  left  to  enfilade  the  crater :  but  not  a  cannon- 
shot  was  fired  by  the  Rebels  till  after  seven  o'clock.  The  sup- 
porting brigades  meanwhile  were  crowding  upon  those  in  front. 
The  colored  troops  were  ordered  forward.  They  also  entered 
the  crater,  which  only  added  to  the  confusion.  Potter  succeed- 
ed in  freeing  his  troops  from  Lcdlie's,  and  pushed  on  toward 
the  crest,  but  being  unsupported,  he  was  obliged  to  retire, 
driven  back  by  the  canister  which  the  enemy  poured  into  his 
ranks  from  the  new  position  they  had  taken  on  Cemetery  Hill. 
The  Rebel  fire  increased.  Eight,  nine,  ten  o'clock  passed ;  their 
batteries  were  throwing  a  concentrated  fire  of  shells  and  solid 
shot  into  the  mingled  human  mass.  Mahonc's  and  Ransom's 
divisions  of  infantry  were  hurried  to  the  top  of  the  ridge,  and 
mortars  were  brought  into  play,  and  the  crater  became  a  terrible 
scene  of  slaughter.  Meade,  seeing  that  further  attempt  to  take 
the  ridge  would  be  not  only  useless,  but  a  waste  of  life,  per- 
mitted Burnside  to  withdraw  his  troops  at  discretion.  Yet  to 
retire  was  to  run  the  gauntlet  of  almost  certain  death.  The 
space  between  the  abyss  and  Burnside' s  breastworks  was  swept 
by  a  cross-fire  from  the  enemy's  artillery  and  infantry.  To  re- 
main in  the  crater  was  sure  destruction  ;  to  advance  was  im- 
possible ;  to  retreat  the  only  alternative.  Permission  was  given 
the  troops  to  retire.  By  degrees  they  fled  to  the  rear ;  but  it 
was  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  before  the  place  was  wholly 
evacuated. 

Forty-seven  officers  and  three  hundred  and  seventy-two  sol- 
diers were  killed,  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  officers  and 
fifteen  hundred  and  fifty-five  soldiers  wounded,  and  nineteen 
hundred  missmg  ;  a  total  loss  of  over  four  thousand  men,  and 
no  substantial  advantage  gained. 


1864.]  SIEGE  OPERATIONS.  881 

The  loss  of  the  Rebels  by  the  explosion  was  very  great,  as 
also  by  the  heavy  artillery  fire. 

The  causes  of  the  failure,  as  decided  by  the  Committee  on 
the  Conduct  of  the  War,  were :  the  injudicious  formation  of 
the  troops  assaulting ;  the  halting  of  Ledlie  ;  lack  of  proper 
engineers ;  and  the  want  of  a  competent  head  at  the  scene  of 
assault. 

The  reasons  why  the  attack  ought  to  have  been  successful 
are  thus  stated  :  — 

"  1.  The  evident  surprise  of  the  enemy  at  the  time  of  the  explosioe 
of  the  mine,  and  for  some  time  after. 

"  2.  The  comparatively  small  force  in  the  enemy's  works. 

"  3.  The  ineffective  fire  of  the  enemy's  artillery  and  musketry,  there 
being  scarcely  any  for  about  thirty  minutes  after  the  explosion,  and  omr 
artillery  being  just  the  reverse  as  to  time  and  power. 

"  4.  The  fact  that  our  troops  were  able  to  get  two  hundred  yards  be- 
yond the  crater,  towards  the  west,  but  could  not  remain  there  or  proceed 
fiirther  for  want  of  supports."  ♦ 

It  was  a  humiliating,  disgraceful  failure,  which  filled  the 
North  with  mourning.  The  Rebels  manifested  their  hatred  of 
the  colored  troops  by  shooting  some  of  them  even  after  they 
had  surrendered.  The  Richmond  Enquirer  said  that  the  as- 
saulting column  was  led  by  colored  troops,  who  rushed  on  with 
the  cry  of  "No  quarter,"  but  the  assertion  is  not  true.  The 
colored  troops  were  not  ordered  forward  till  late  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  then  advanced  but  a  few  steps  beyond  the  crater.  The 
Enquirer  of  August  1st  doubtless  gave  expression  to  the  senti- 
ments of  the  Southern  people  respecting  the  treatment  to  be  ac- 
corded to  colored  soldiers.     Said  that  paper :  — 

"  Grant's  war  cry  of  "  No  quarter,"  shouted  by  his  negro  soldiers,  was 
returned  with  interest,  we  regret  to  hear  not  so  heavily  ks  it  ought  to 

have  been,  since  some  negroes  were  captured  instead  of  being  shot 

Let  every  salient  we  are  called  upon  to  defend  be  a  Fort  Pillow,  and 
butcher  every  negro  that  Grant  hurls  against  our  brave  troops,  and  per- 
mit them  not  to  soil  their  hands  with  the  capture  of  one  negro." 

It  was  the  opinion  of  many  officers  who  saw  the  advance  of 
the  colored  iivision,  that,  had  they  been  permitted  to  lead  the 

•  Report  (  f  Committee. 


882  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [June, 

assault,  the  crest  would  have  been  seized  and  held.  Such  is 
the  opinion  of  the  Lieutenant-General  already  given. 

The  onset  promised  to  be  successful,  but  ended  in  one  of 
the  severest  disasters  of  the  war,  without  any  compensation 
worthy  of  mention. 

Sad  the  scene  on  that  afternoon.  The  ground  was  thickly 
strewn  with  dying  and  dead.  The  sun  blazed  from  a  cloudless 
sky,  and  the  heat  was  intense.  The  cries  of  the  wcunded  were 
heart-rending.  Officers  and  men  on  both  sides  stopped  their 
ears,  and  turned  away  heart-sick  at  the  sight.  It  was  an  exhi- 
bition of  the  horrible  features  of  war  which,  once  seen,  is  for- 
ever remembered. 

The  operation  of  Grant  upon  the  enemy's  lines  of  communi- 
cation was  beginning  to  be  felt  in  Richmond.  Wilson  and 
Kautz  on  the  Danville  and  Weldon  roads,  Sheridan  on  the  Vir- 
ginia Central,  and  Hunter  in  the  vicinity  of  Lynchburg,  alto- 
gether had  caused  an  interruption  of  communication  which 
advanced  the  prices  of  produce  in  the  markets  of  that  city. 

It  is  amusing  to  read  the  papers  published  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1864.  All  of  Grant's  movements  from  the  Rapidan 
to  Petersburg  were  retreats.  Lee,  in  his  despatches  to  JeflF 
Davis  from  the  Wilderness,  said  that  Grant  was  retreating  to- 
wards Fredericksburg.  It  happened,  however,  that  Lee  found 
Grant  attacking  his  lines  at  Spottsylvania  on  the  following 
morning.  "  The  enemy  is  falling  back  from  Spottsylvania," 
said  the  Examiner^  when  Grant  moved  to  the  North  Anna. 

"  Grant  is  floundering  in  the  swamp  of  the  Chickahominy  ; 
he  has  reached  McClellan's  graveyard,"  said  the  Rebel  press, 
when  he  was  at  Cold  Harbor. 

"  Grant's  attitude  before  Petersburg  is  that  of  a  baffled,  if  not 
a  ruined  man,"  said  the  Richmond  Enquirer. 

"  We  can  stand  such  a  siege  as  Grant  thinks  he  has  estab- 
lished for  twenty  years  to  come,"  was  the  language  of  the 
Petersburg  Express, 

Another  number  of  the  Enquirer,  commenting  upon  the 
Richmond  markets,  revealed  more  clearly  the  truth. 

"  The  extortion  now  practised  upon  the  people,"  said  the 
Enquirer  of  June  30th,  "  in  every  department  of  necessary  sup- 
ply, is  frightful.     It  is  a  pitiable  sight  to  see  the  families  of  this 


1864.]  SIEGE   OPERATIONS.  883 

city  swarming  in  the  markets  for  food,  and  subjected  to  the 
merciless  exactions  of  this  unrestrained  avarice.'* 

The  fortunes  of  the  Confederacy  were  becoming  desperate. 
Sherman  had  advanced  from  Chattanooga,  driving  Johnston  to 
Atlanta.  The  removal  of  Johnston,  and  the  appointment  of 
an  officer  in  his  stead  who  would  fight  the  Yankees,  was 
demanded.  Jeff  Davis  heeded  the  cry,  removed  Johnston, 
and  appointed  Hood  to  succeed  him.  The  Enquirer  was 
jubilant.      Said  that  sheet :  — 

'  There  must  be  an  end  of  retreating,  and  the  risk  of  defeat  must  be 
encountered,  or  victory  can  never  be  won.  The  rule  of  Cunctator  must 
have  an  end,  for  the  rashness  of  Scipio  can  only  end  this  war.  If  Gen- 
eral Johnston  has  been  relieved,  the  country  will  accept  this  action  of 
the  President  as  a  determination  henceforth  to  accept  the  risk  of  battle, 
as  involving  the  fate  and  fixing  the  destiny  of  the  Confederacy.  To  go 
forward  and  to  fight  is  now  the  motto  of  our  armies,  and  since  Johnston 
would  not  advance.  Hood  has  no  other  alternative,  for  his  appointment 

has  but  one  meaning,  and  that  is  to  give  battle  to  the  foe Grant  is 

hopelessly  crippled  at  Petersburg,  and  Lee  has  but  a  few  days  ago 
thundered  his  artillery  in  the  corporate  limits  of  Washington  City. 
Grant,  while  apparently  advancing,  has  been  really  retreating,  and  this 
day  is  in  a  position  from  which  he  can  advance  no  farther,  and  from 
which  his  retreat  is  only  a  question  of  time.  Grant  is  exhausting  the 
malice  of  disappointment  and  the  chagrin  of  defeat  in  bombarding  Pe- 
tersburg ;  but  Sherman,  unless  defeated  by  Hood,  must  march  into 
Atlanta.  The  movements  of  General  Lee  have  so  weakened  the  army 
of  Grant,  that  it  is  more  an  object  of  pity  than  of  fear."  ♦ 

Early  in  the  campaign  Grant,  seeing  the  necessity  of  keeping 
the  ranks  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  full,  had  ordered  the 
Nineteenth  Corps,  then  on  the  Mississippi,  to  take  transports 
for  the  James.  His  policy  was  concentration  combined  with 
activity.  His  foresight  and  prudence  in  this  matter  were  of 
inestimable  value,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  ensuing  chapter. 

•  Bichmond  Enquirer,  July  19,  1864. 


684  THE   BOYS    OF    '61.  [J^J* 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

THIRD    INVASION    OF    MARYLAND. 

The  armies  of  the  Union  in  Virginia,  in  the  West,  beyoj.d 
the  Mississippi,  and  along  the  Gulf  were  controlled  by  Gencj  al 
Grant.  The  chess-board  was  continental  in  its  dimensions, 
but  everything  upon  it  seemed  within  reach  of  his  hand.  He 
had  two  armies  under  his  immediate  direction, — the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  and  the  Army  of  the  James.  He  was  in  con- 
stant communication  with  Sherman  at  Atlanta,  and  his  orders 
reached  the  forces  a  thousand  miles  distant  on  the  Mississippi ! 
The  details  were  left  to  the  commanders  of  the  various  armies, 
but  all  important  schemes  were  submitted  to  him  for  approval. 
But  his  best  plans  sometimes  miscarried,  from  the  neglect  or 
inability  of  his  subordinates  to  carry  them  into  execution. 
Before  starting  from  the  Rapidan,  General  Grant  ordered 
Hunter,  who  had  succeeded  to  the  command  of  Sigel  in  the 
Shenandoah,  to  proceed  up  the  valley  to  Staunton  and  Gordons- 
ville.  When  Grant  was  on  the  North  Anna,  he  advised  that 
officer  to  move  on  Charlottesville  and  Lynchburg,  live  on  the 
country  as  he  marched,  and  destroy  the  railroads,  and,  if  pos- 
sible, the  James  River  Canal.  Accomplishing  that,  he  was  to 
return  to  Gordonsville,  and  there  join  Grant.  Hunter  advanced. 
Sheridan  was  sent  with  the  cavalry,  while  Grant  was  at  Cold 
FTarbor,  to  aid  him.  Sheridan  broke  up  the  Virginia  Central 
Railroad,  moved  to  Gordonsville,  but  hearing  nothing  of  Hun- 
ter returned  to  the  White  House,  and  rejoined  Grant  at  Peters- 
burg. 

Hunter  moved  up  the  valley.  At  the  same  time  Generals 
Crook  and  Averill,  leaving  Western  Virginia,  met  Hunter  near 
Staunton,  where  they  had  a  battle  with  the  Rebels  under  Gen» 
eral  Jones,  who  was  killed,  and  his  force  routed,  with  a  loss 
of  three  guns  and  fifteen  hundred  prisoners. 

Hunter,  instead  of  approaching  Lynchburg  by  Gordonsville 


1864.]  THIRD   INVASION   OF   MABYLAND.  885 

and  Charlottesville,  took  the  road  leading  through  Lexington 
and  thus  missed  Sheridan. 

He  reached  Lynchburg  on  the  16th  of  June,  at  the  sam 
time  that  Grant  was  moving  from  Cold  Harbor  to  the  Jamei. 
Lee,  seeing  the  danger  which  threatened  him  at  the  back- 
door of  the  Rebel  capital,  threw  reinforcements  into  Lynch- 
burg, and  Hunter  was  obliged  to  retreat,  being  far  from  his 
base,  and  having  but  a  limited  supply  of  ammunition.  Having 
advanced  upon  Lynchburg  from  the  west,  instead  of  from  the 
north,  he  was  obliged  to  retreat  in  the  same  direction  through 
Western  Virginia,  a  country  wellnigh  barren  of  supplies.  This 
left  the  Shenandoah  open.  There  was  no  force  to  oppose  the 
Rebels  who  were  at  Lynchburg.  The  decision  of  Hunter  to 
go  forward  by  Lexington  instead  of  by  Gordonsville  disar- 
ranged Grant's  plans,  who  did  not  direct  him  to  move  by 
Charlottesville.  His  letter  to  Halleck  of  the  25th  of  May 
reads :  "If  Hunter  can  possibly  get  to  Charlottesville  and 
Lynchburg,  he  should  do  so,  living  on  the  country.  The  rail 
roads  and  canals  should  be  destroyed  beyond  the  possibility  of 
repair  for  weeks.  Completing  this,  he  could  find  his  way 
back  to  his  original  base,  or  from  Gordonsville  join  this  army.'* 
No  mention  was  made  of  his  advancing  by  Lexington  ;  but 
taking  that  route,  and  being  compelled  to  retreat  by  the  Great 
Kanawha,  gave  Lee  an  opportunity  to  strike  a  blow  at  Wash- 
ington. He  was  active  to  improve  it,  but  Grant  was  quick  to 
discover  his  intentions. 

Ewell  was  sick,  and  Early  was  appointed  to  command  the 
Rebel  troops  in  the  Valley.  Breckonridge  was  sent  up  from 
Richmond.  The  troops  took  cars  and  moved  up  the  Lynchburg 
road  to  Gordonsville.  Early  found  himself  at  the  head  of 
twenty-five  or  thirty  thousand  men.  Mosby,  with  hi^  band  of 
guerillas,  was  scouring  the  Valley  and  Western  Virginia.  Ho 
reported  a  clear  coast  towards  Washington,  but  that  Sigel  was 
at  Martin sburg. 

Early  passed  rapidly  down  the  Valley,  drove  Sigel  across  the 
Potomac,  and  followed  him  to  Hagerstown.  The  people  of 
Western  Maryland  and  Southern  Pennsylvania,  who  had  al- 
ready received  two  unpleasant  visits  from  the  Rebels,  fled  in 
haste   towards   Baltimore  and    Harrisburg.      The  panic    wa.« 

25 


386  THE  BOYS   OF   '61.  [J^ilj, 

widespread.  Extravagant  stories  were  told  of  the  force  of  the 
enemy:  Lee's  whole  army  was  advancing;  he  had  outgener- 
alled  Grant ;  he  had  sixty  thousand  men  across  the  Potomac ; 
Washington  and  Baltimore  were  to  be  captured.  All  of  which 
was  received  with  exceeding  coolness  by  the  Lieutenant-General 
in  command  at  City  Point,  who  detached  the  Sixth  Corps,  or- 
dering Ricketts's  division  to  Baltimore  and  the  other  two  divis- 
ions to  Washington.  The  Nineteenth  Corps,  which  had  arrived 
at  Fortress  Monroe,  was  despatched  to  Washington. 

The  news  was  startling.  Leaving  the  army  at  Petersburg,  1 
hastened  to  City  Point,  to  proceed  to  Washington.  There  was 
no  commotion  at  General  Grant's  head-quarters.  The  chief 
quartermaster  was  looking  over  his  reports.  The  clerks  were 
at  their  regular  work.  There  were  numerous  transports  in  the 
stream,  but  no  indications  of  the  embarkation  of  troops.  Gen- 
eral Grant  was  out,  walking  leisurely  about,  with  his  thumbs 
in  the  arm-holes  of  his  vest,  smoking  his  cigar  so  quietly  and  aj> 
parently  unconcerned,  that,  had  it  not  been  for  the  three  stars 
on  his  shoulders,  a  stranger  would  have  passed  him  without  a 
thought  of  his  being  the  man  wlio  was  playing  the  deepest  game 
of  war  in  modern  times.  The  members  of  his  military  family 
were  not  in  the  least  excited.  Calling  on  Colonel  Bowers, 
Grant's  adjutant-general,  I  found  him  attending  to  the  daily 
routine. 

*'  They  arc  having  a  little  scare  at  Washington  and  in  the 
North.     It  will  do  them  good,"  said  he. 

"  How  largo  a  force  is  it  supposed  the  Rebels  have  in  Mary- 
land?" 

"  Somewhere  about  twenty-five  thousand,  —  possibly  thirty. 
Breckenridge  has  gone,  with  his  command.  And  Early  has 
raked  ancf  scraped  all  the  troops  possible  which  were  outside 
of  Richmond.  Mosby  is  with  him,  and  the  irregular  bands  of 
the  upper  Potomac,  and  the  troops  which  met  Hunter  at  Lynch- 
burg. It  will  not  affect  operations  liere.  Lee  undoubtedly 
expected  to  send  Grant  post-haste  to  Wasliington ;  but  the  siege 
will  go  on." 

On  tliQ  wall  of  his  room  was  a  map  of  the  Southern  States, 
showing  by  colored  lines  the  various  gauges  of  all  the  rail- 
roads.    Grant  came  in,  looked  at  it,  said  "  Good  morning," 


864.]  THIRI^  INVASION   OF   MARYLAND.  887 

and  went  out  for  another  stroll  about  the  grounds,  thinking  all 
the  while. 

On  board  our  boat  was  a  lively  company,  principally  composed 
of  the  soldiers  of  the  Massachusetts  Sixteenth,  who  had  served 
three  years,  and  were  on  their  way  home.  They  were  in  tho 
Peninsular  campaigns.  Their  commander,  Colonel  Wyman, 
was  l^illed  at  Glendale,  where  they  held  the  ground  when  Mc- 
Call's  line  was  swept  away.  His  fugitives  ran  through  Hooker's, 
and  Sumner's  lines,  but  the  men  of  the  Sixteenth  stood  firm  in- 
their  places,  till  the  drift  had  passed  by,  and  moved  forward  to 
meet  the  exultant  enemy,  pouring  in  such  a  fire  that  the  Rebel 
column  became  a  mob,  and  fled  in  haste  towards  Richmond, 
They  were  in  Grover's  brigade  at  the  second  battle  of  Manas- 
sas. There  have  been  few  bayonet-charges  pushed  with  such 
power  as  theirs  in  that  battle.  The  Rebels  were  on  Milroy's 
left  flank,  which  was  bending  like  a  bruised  reed  before  their 
advance,  when  Grover  moved  to  the  attack. 

"  We  stood  in  these  lines,"  said  a  wounded  officer  of  the 
Second  Louisiana,  a  prisoner  at  Warrenton,  two  months  after 
that  battle.  "They  fell  upon  us  like  a  thunderbolt.  They 
paid  no  attention  to  our  volleys.  We  mowed  them  down,  but 
they  went  right  through  our  first  line,  then  through  our  sec- 
ond, and  advanced  to  the  railroad  embankment,  and  there  we 
stopped  them.  They  did  it  so  splendidly  that  we  could  n't 
help  cheering  them.  It  made  me  feel  bad  to  fire  on  such 
brave  fellows." 

They  were  reduced  to  a  squad.  Their  comrades  were  lying 
on  nearly  all  the  battle-fields  of  Virginia. 

"  We  have  had  a  pretty  rough  time  of  it,  and  I  am  glad  we 
are  through ;  but  I  would  n't  mind  having  another  crack  at 
the  Johnnie's  round  Washington,"  said  a  soldier,  lying  on  the 
deck  with  his  knapsack  for  a  pillow. 

The  whole  regiment  was  ready  to  volunteer  for  the  defence 
of  Washington. 

The  cannoneers  of  the  Twelfth  New  York  battery  were  of  tho 
company.  They  were  in  Wilson's  raid,  had  lost  their  guns, 
and  felt  sore.  Even  when  their  loss  is  owing  to  no  fault  on  the 
part  of  the  artillerists,  they  usually  feel  that  it  is  humiliating. 
They  give  pet  names  to  the  dogs  of  war  ;  and  when  a  good  shot 
has  been  made,  affectionately  pat  their  brazen  lips. 


388  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [J^J 

There  were  members  of  the  Sanitary  and  Christian  Com- 
missions, taking  care  of  the  sick  and  wounded ;  also  a  family 
of  refugees  from  Prince  George  County,  on  the  way  to  Mary- 
land, to  find  a  new  home  till  the  war  was  over. 

Early  was  making  the  most  of  his  opportunity.  His  cavalry 
moved  at  will,  with  no  force  to  oppose  them. 

They  divided  into  small  bodies  and  overran  the  country  from 
Frederick  to  Williamsport,  destroying  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad,  burning  canal-boats,  seizing  horses,  cattle,  and  sup- 
plies^ from  the  farmers,  ransacking  houses  as  thoroughly  as  the 
soldiers  of  the  Union  had  done  in  Virginia. 

The  first  invasion  of  Maryland,  in  1862,  was  a  political  as 
well  as  a  military  movement.     It  was  supposed  by  the  Rebel 
leaders  that  the  State  was  ready  to  join  the  Confederacy,  that 
the  people  were  held  in  subjection  by  a  military  despotism. 
"  My  Maryland"  was  then  the  popular  song  of  the  South,  sung 
in  camp,  on  the  march,  and  in  parlors  and  concert-halls. 
"  The  despot's  heel  is  on  thy  shore, 
Maryland  I 
His  torch  is  at  thy  temple-door, 

Maryland ! 
Avenge  the  patriotic  gore 
That  wept  o'er  gallant  Baltimore, 
And  be  the  battle-queen  of  yore, 
Maryland !  My  Maryland  ! " 

When  Jackson's  corps  crossed  the  Potomac,  his  troops  sang 
it  wiih  enthusiastic  demonstrations,  tossing  up  their  caps. 
They  came  as  liberators.  Jackson's  orders  were  strict  against 
pillage.  All  property  taken  was  to  be  paid  for  in  Confederate 
notes,  —  at  that  time  esteemed  by  the  Rebels  to  be  as  good  as 
greenbacks,  though  not  very  acceptable  to  the  Marylanders.  It 
was  an  invasion  for  conciliation.  The  troops  respected  the 
orders,  and,  aside  from  the  loss  of  a  few  horses,  the  people  of 
Maryland  were  well  treated  in  that  campaign.  But  in  the 
second  invasion,  when  Lee  passed  into  Pennsylvania,  no  favor 
was  shown  to  Maryland.  Houses,  stores,  public  and  private 
buildings  alike  were  sacked  and  burned.  The  soldiers  foraged 
at  will,  and  the  one  who  could  secure  the  most  clothing  or  food 
was  the  best  fellow.  In  this  third  and  last  invasion,  officers 
and  soldiers  pillaged  indiscriminately. 


BUINS    OF    CHAMBERSBURG. 


1864.]  THIRD   INVASION   OF   MARYLAND.  889 

"  Pay  me  twenty  thousand  dollars  or  I  will  burn  your  town," 
said  Early  to  the  citizens  of  Hagerstown,  who  advanced  the 
money  or  its  equivalent. 

General  Lew  Wallace  was  in  command  at  Baltimore.  He 
sent  what  troops  he  could  collect  to  the  Monocacy,  where  he  was 
joined  by  Ricketts's  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps.  Wallace  formed 
his  line  across  the  railroad  and  awaited  Early's  advance.  With 
the  exception  of  Ricketts's  division,  Wallace's  troops  were  men 
enlisted  for  one  hundred  days,  also  lieavy  artillerests  taken 
from  the  Baltimore  fortifications,  invalids  from  the  hospitals, 
and  volunteers,  numbering  about  nine  thousand.  The  Rebels 
forded  the  stream  and  began  the  attack.  They  were  held  in 
check  several  hours.  Wallace,  after  losing  about  twelve  hun- 
dred men,  was  obliged  to  retreat. 

His  defeat,  and  the  stories  of  the  magnitude  of  the  Rebel 
force,  put  Baltimore  and  Washington  in  great  excitement.  The 
battle  at  Monocacy  was  fought  on  Saturday.  On  Sunday  morn- 
ing the  church-bells  in  Baltimore  were  rung,  and  the  citizens, 
instead  of  attending  worship,  made  haste  to  prepare  for  the 
enemy.  Alarmmg  reports  reached  that  city  from  Westminster, 
Reisterstown,  and  Cockeysville,  that  the  Rebels  were  in  posses 
sion  of  those  places.  Couriers  dashed  into  Washington  from 
Rockville,  only  twelve  miles  distant,  crying  that  the  Rebels 
were  advancmg  upon  the  capital.  On  Monday  morning  they 
were  near  Havre-de-Grace,  at  Gunpowder  River,  whore  they 
burned  the  bridge,  cut  the  telegraph,  captured  trains,  and 
robbed  passengers,  entirely  severing  Baltimore  and  Washington 
from  the  loyal  North.  Only  five  miles  from  Washington,  they 
burned  the  house  of  Governor  Bradford,  and  pillaged  Mont- 
gomery Blair's.  Governmeni  employees  were  under  arms,  and 
troops  were  hastening  out  on  the  roads  leading  north  and  west, 
when  I  arrived  in  Washington.  Loud  cheers  greeted  Wright' 3 
two  divisions  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  and  still  louder  shouts  the 
veterans  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps,  from  the  Mississippi,  as  they 
marched  through  the  city.  It  was  amusing  and  instructive  to 
watch  the  rapid ,  change  in  men's  countenances.  When  dis- 
aster threatens,  men  are  silent ;  the  danger  past,  the  tongue 
b  loosened. 

On  Tuesday  the  Rebel  sharpshooters  were  in  front  of  Fort 


890 


THE   BOYS   OF   '61. 


[July, 


Stevens ;  they  picked  off  some  of  the  gunners,  but  a  charge 
by  a  brigade  dislodged  them.  Tliey  fled,  leaving  about  one 
hundred  dead  and  wounded.  Forces  were  gathering  around 
Early,  and  on  Wednesday  morning  he  hastily  retreated.  He 
-ecrossed  the  Potomac  at  Edwards's  Ferry,  and  made  his  way, 
through  Snicker's  Gap,  into  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  with  an 
Immense  train  of  plunder,  consisting  of  forage,  grain,  horses, 
cattle,  hogs,  sheep,  groceries,  clothing,  and  a  forced  contribu 
of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  from  the  people  of  Preder-^-^ 
levied  under  threat  of  burning  the  town. 

Early  had  no  serious  intention  of  attacking  Washington,  but 
the  invasion  was  designed  primarily  to  raise  the  siege  of  Peters- 
burg, and  secondarily  to  replenish  the  commissariai;  of  the 
Rebel  army. 

Grant  comprehended  the  movement,  and  instead  of  abandon- 
ing Petersburg,  made  preparations  to  seize  the  Weldon  road, 
which,  after  a  severe  struggle,  was  accomplished.  A  few  weeks 
later  Sheridan  defeated  Early  in  the  Valley,  which  ended  the 
campaign  of  1864  in  Virginia. 


A   LAY    DELEGATE    KN     THE    HOSPITAL. 


1864.)  SHEBMAN'S  ABMT.  $91 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

SHERMAN'S    ARMY 

The  army  under  General  Sherman  fought  its  way  from  Chat* 
tanooga  to  Atlanta,  and  then  marched  to  the  sea,  capturing 
Fort  McAllister,  and  opening  communication  with  the  fleet 
under  Dupont  on  the  13th  of  December,  and  a  few  days  later 
made  its  grand  entree  into  Savannah.  A  brief  review  of  Sher- 
man's campaign  is  necessary  to  a  clear  unders-tanding  of  what 
afterward  transpired  in  his  department. 

While  the  Army  of  tlie  Potomac  was  pushing  through  to  the 
south  side  of  the  James,  the  Army  of  the  West  was  moving 
upon  Atlanta,  having  driven  the  Rebels  under  Johnston  from 
Tunnel  Hill,  Buzzards'  Roost,  Resaca,  Kingston,  AUatoona,  and 
Kenesaw.  Johnston  fought  only  on  the  defensive,  and  wag 
constantly  beaten,  abandoning  stronghold  after  stronghold  that 
the  Rebels  had  declared  impregnable,  and  whose  surrender 
they  felt  was  humiliating  and  disgraceful. 

There  was  a  clamor  throughout  the  South  for  his  removal, 
and  the  appointment  of  a  general  who  would  take  the  offensive. 
Jeff  Davis  disliked  Johnston  on  personal  grounds,  and  ap- 
pointed Hood  his  successor.  That  officer  hurled  his  troops 
against  Sherman's  breastworks,  and  suffered  a  damaging  de- 
feat. Sherman  in  turn  made  a  flank  movement,  and  compelled 
Hood  to  evacuate  Atlanta,  which  Sherman  occupied  on  the 
2d  of  September.  Jeff  Davis  hastened  West.  He  conceived 
the  idea  of  forcing  Sherman  to  retreat  from  Atlanta  to  Nash- 
ville, by  invading  Tennessee.  As  Hood's  army  had  been  driven 
from  Chattanooga  to  Dalton,  losing  all  its  strong  positions,  this 
plan  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  in  military  history.  It  is 
hardly  within  the  sphere  of  sober  criticism,  but  appropriately  be- 
longs to  the  comic  page.  "  Your  feet  shall  again  press  the  soil 
of  Tennessee,  within  thirty  days,'*  said  Davis  to  the  soldiers. 
"  The  invader  shall  be  driven  from  your  territory.  The  re- 
treat of  Sherman  from  Atlanta  shall  be  like  Napoleon's  from 
Moscow." 


8^2  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Deo. 

Sherman  had  already  contemplated  a  movement  to  Savamiah, 
and  had  opened  correspondence  with  Grant. 

"  Until  we  can  repopulate  Georgia  it  is  useless  to  occupy  it ;  but  the 
otter  destruction  of  its  roads,  houses,  and  people  will  cripple  their  military 
resources.  By  attempting  to  hold  the  roads  we  will  lose  a  thousand 
men  monthly,  and  will  gain  no  result.    I  can  make  the  march  and  make 

Georgia  howl Hood  may  turn  into  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  but 

I  believe  he  will  be  forced  to  follow  me.  Instead  of  being  on  the 
defensive,  I  would  be  on  the  offensive.  Instead  of  guessing  at  what  he 
means,  he  would  have  to  guess  at  my  plans.  The  difference  in  war  is 
fully  twenty-five  per  cent.  I  can  make  Savannah,  Charleston,  or  the 
mouth  of  the  Chattahoochee,  and  prefer  to  march  through  Georgia, 
smashing  things  to  the  sea." 

Grant  authorized  the  movement,  flood  was  preparing  to 
move  north. 

Sherman's  right  wing,  commanded  by  Howard,  was  com- 
posed of  Osterhaus's  Fifteenth  Corps  and  the  Seventeenth, 
under  Blair ;  Slocum  had  his  left  wing,  containing  the  Four- 
teenth Corps  under  Jeff.  C.  Davis,  and  the  Twentieth  with 
Williams. 

The  Twentieth  was  consolidated  from  the  Eleventh  and 
Twelfth  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  which  had  fought 
at  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg. 

Sherman  sent  his  last  despatch  to  Washington  on  the  11th 
of  November.  On  the  17th,  the  day  on  which  Sherman  left 
Atlanta,  Hood  crossed  the  Tennessee  River,  to  make  the  move 
ment  which  was  to  compel  Sherman  to  evacuate  Georgia ! 

Sherman's  southward  march  was  a  surprise  to  the  Rebels. 
They  affected  joy,  and  predicted  his  destruction. 

Said  the  Augusta  Constitutionalist :  — 

"  The  hand  of  God  is  in  it.  The  blow,  if  we  can  give  it  as  it  should 
be  given,  may  end  the  war.  We  urge  our  friends  in  the  track  of  the 
advance  to  remove  forage  and  provisions,  horses,  mules,  and  negroes, 
and  stock,  and  burn  the  balance.     Let  the  invader  find  the  desolation 

he  would  leave  behind  him  staring  him  in  the  face Cut  trees  across 

all  roads  in  front  of  the  enemy,  burn  the  bridges,  remove  everything 
possible  in  time,  and,  before  the  enemy  arrives,  burn  and  destroy  what 
cannot  be  removed,  —  leave  nothing  on  which  he  can  subsist ;  and  hide 
the  millstone*  and  machin^rv  of  the  mills.  .  .  .    The  Russians  destroyed 


186  l.J  SHERMAN'S  ARMY.  393 

tho  {jrand  army  of  Napoleon,  of  five  liundred  tlionsand  men,  by  destroy- 
ing tlieir  country,  by  tl>e  fulness  of  fire  applied  to  their  own  cities, 
l:ouses,  and  granaries.  Let  Georgians  imitate  their  unselfishness  and 
love  of  com  my  for  a  few  weeks,  and  the  army  of  Sherman  will  Lave 
the  fate  of  the  army  of  Napoleon."  * 

Said  the  Savannah  News:  — 

"  AVe  have  only  to  arouse  our  whole  arms-bearing  people,  —  hover  on 
hi.5  front,  his  flanks,  and  rear,  —  remove  from  his  reach  or  destroy  every 
thing  that  will  subsist  man  or  beast,  —  retard  his  progri;ss  by  everj 
means  in  our  power,  —  and,  when  the  proper  time  comes,  fall  upon  hira 
with  the  relentless  vengeance  of  an  insulted  and  outraged  people,  and 
there  need  be  no  doubt  of  the  result."  f 

*'  If  it  1)0  true,"  said  the  Examiner  of  Richmond,  "  (hat  Slicr- 
xnan  is  now  nllcmpling  this  prodigious  design,  wc  may  safely 
predict  that  his  march  will  lead  him  to  the  Paradise  of  Fools, 
and  that  his  magnilicent  scheme  will  hereafter  be  reckoned 
*  With  all  the  goo<l  deeds  that  never  were  done*  " 

Almost  without  opposition  Sherman  reached  the  sea,  and 
forced  ilardce  to  evacuate  Savannah. 

General  Sherman  is  regarded  by  many  people  in  the  South- 
ern States  as  the  Attila  of  the  nineteenth  century,  because  his 
path  from  Atlanta  to  the  Roanoke  is  a  wide-spread  scene  of  dev- 
astation. Yet  he  did  only  that  which  the  leaders  of  the  Rebel- 
lion and  the  newspapers  of  the  South  urged  the  people  to  do. 
They  ])roposcd  to  make  the  country  a  ruin  in  self-defence. 
Sherman  did  it  to  shorten  the  war.     lie  says  :  — 

"  We  consujned  the  corn  and  fodder  in  the  region  of  country  for  thir- 
ty miles  on  either  side  of  a  line  from  Atlanta  to  Savannah  ;  also  tho 
sweet  ])ot:itoes,  hogs,  sheep,  and  poultry,  and  carried  off  more  than  ten 
thousand  horses  and  mules.  I  estimate  the  damage  done  to  the  State 
of  Georgia  as  one  hundred  million  dollars  ;  at  least  twenty  million  dol- 
lars of  which  enjued  to  our  advantage,  and  the  remainder  was  simple 
waste  and  destruction."  I 

This  is  a  fi-ank  avowal.  It  is  the  ofTjcial  utterance  of  tho 
comniandor  who  was  instrumental  in  causing  such  wholesale 
destruction.     To  what  end  ?     AVhat  was  gained  by  it  ?     Was 


•  Arjjjusta  Coiistitutioimli'if,  November  22,  1864. 

t  ^'ews^  November  22,  1864  t  Sherman's  Kcport. 


394  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Deo 

sxicli  destruction  warranted  ?  What  will  bo  the  verdict  of  his- 
tory ?  These  arc  questions  wliich  force  themselves  upon  every 
thijiking  mind. 

General  Sherman's  vindication  of  himself  is  found  in  Ins 
correspondence  wiili  the  ]\h«yor  of  Atlanta  and  witli  General 
IJood  eoncernijig  the  expulsion  of  the  non-combatants  from 
that  city. 

As  he  could  not  subsist  his  army  and  the  citizens  also,  he  or- 
dered tliat  every  person  not  connected  with  tlie  army  sliould 
leave  the  j)lacc.  The  i)eople  of  that  town  had  done  what  they 
could  to  overthrow  the  government  of  tlie  United  States.  Tlicy 
had  given  great  material  aid  to  the  l\e])eHion.  Tliey  bated  the 
Union  as  bitterly  as  ever,  but  were  willing  to  be  consiuners  of 
the  food  disj)ensed  by  a  government  which  they  were  not  will- 
ing to  recognize  as  holding  rightiul  authority  over  them.  I'lie 
Mayor  set  forth  the  sulfering  which  would  be  entailed  upon 
women  and  children,  the  })Oor  and  sick,  by  the  enforcement  of 
the  oi'der. 

"You  know  the  woe,  the  horror,  and  the  siifToriiig  cannot  he  de- 
ecribod   in  words,"  said  the  Mayor.     "  Jinagination  can  only  conceive 

of  it,  and  we  ask  you  to  take  these  tilings  into  consideration AVc 

Bolonudy  petition  you  to  reconsitler  this  onler,  or  modily  it,  and  suffer 
this  unfortunate  peoi>Ie  to  remain  at  home  and  enjoy  what  little  mcaus 
they  have." 

The  i*e])ly  of  General  Sherman  was  clear  and  decisive. 

"  Gkntlemi:n  :  I  have  your  letter  of  the  1  Idi,  in  the  nature  of  a  pe- 
tition to  revoke  my  orders  removing  all  the  inhabitants  from  Atlanta. 
I  have  read  it  carefully,  and  give  full  crcillt  to  your  statements  of"  the 
distress  that  will  be  occasiotjcd  hy  if,  and  yiit  shall  not  revoke  my  order, 
simply  beciiusc  my  orders  are  not  designed  to  meet  the  humanities  of 
the  case,  btit  to  ]»rej)are  for  the  future  struggles  in  which  millions,  ye.a, 
hundreds  of  millions  of  good  people  outside  of  Atlanta,  have  a  deep  in- 
terest. AV'e  must  have  peace,  not  only  at  Atlanta,  hut  in  all  Americ^i. 
To  secure  this  we  must  stoj>  the  war  that  now  desolates  our  once  iiappy 
and  favored  country.  To  stop  the  war,  we  nnist  defeat  the  Rebel  ar- 
mies that  are  arrayed  against  the  laws  and  Constitution,  which  all  nuist 
respect  and  obey.  To  defeat  the  armies,  we  must  jireparc  the  way  to 
rcaidi  them  in  their  recesses,  provided  with  the  arms  aud  instruments 
which  enable  us  to  accoiuplish  our  i)ur])ose. 

"  Now,  I  know  the  viudictivo  nature  of  our  enemy,  and  that  we  may 


1864.]  SHERMAN'S  ARMY.  395 

have  many  years  of  military  operations  from  this  quarter,  and  therefore 
deem  it  wise  and  prudent  to  prepare  in  time.  Tiic  use  of  Atlanta  for 
warlike  purposes  is  inconsistent  with  its  ciiaracter  as  a  home  for  fami- 
lies. There  will  be  no  manufactures,  commerce,  or  agriculture  hero 
for  the  maintenance  of  families,  and  sooner  or  later  want  will  compel 
the  inhabitants  to  go 

"  War  is  ciuelty,  and  you  cannot  refine  it ;  and  those  who  broughl 
war  on  our  country  deserve  all  the  curses  and  maledictions  a  people 
can  pour  out.  I  know  I  had  no  hand  in  making  this  war,  and  1  know 
I  will  make  more  sacrifices  to-day  than  any  of  you  to  secure  peace.  But 
you  cannot  have  peace  and  a  division  of  our  country 

"  You  might  as  well  appeal  against  the  thunder-storm  as  against 
these  terrible  hardships  of  war.  They  are  inevitable,  and  the  only  way 
the  people  of  Atlanta  can  hope  once  more  to  live  in  peace  and  quiet  at 
home,  is  to  stop  this  war,  which  can  alone  be  done  by  admitting  that  it 
began  in  error  and  is  perpetuated  in  pride.  We  don't  want  your  ne- 
groes or  your  horses,  or  your  houses  or  your  land,  or  anything  you 
have ;  but  we  do  want,  and  will  have,  a  just  obedience  to  the  laws  of 
the  United  States.  That  we  will  have,  and  if  it  involves  the  destruc- 
tion of  your  improvements,  we  cannot  help  it. 

"  You  have  heretofore  read  public  sentiment  in  your  newspapers,  that 
live  by  falsehood  and  excitement,  and  the  quicker  you  seek  lor  truth  in 
other  quarters  the  better  for  you.  I  repeat,  then,  that  by  the  original 
compact  of  government,  the  United  States  had  certain  rights  in  Georgia 
vrhich  iiave  never  been  relinquislied,  and  never  will  be  ;  that  the  South 
began  the  war  by  seizing  forts,  arsenals,  mints,  custom-houses,  etc.,  etc., 
long  before  Mr.  Lincoln  was  installed,  and  before  the  South  had  one  jot 
or  tittle  of  provocation.  I  myself  have  seen,  in  ISlissouri,  Kentucky, 
Tennessee,  and  ISIississippi,  hundreds  and  thousands  of  wo'Jien  and  chil- 
dren fleeing  from  your  armies  and  desperadoes,  hungry  and  with  bleed- 
ing feet.  In  Memphis,  Vicksburg,  and  Mississippi,  we  fed  thousands 
upon  thousands  of  the  families  of  Kebel  soldiers  left  on  our  han«l3,  and 
whom  we  could  not  see  starve.  Now  that  war  comes  homo  to  you, 
you  feel  very  dilTerently,  you  deprecate  its  horrors,  but  did  not  feel 
them  when  you  sent  car-loads  of  soldiers  and  ammunition,  an<l  moulded 
bIjcUs  and  sliot  to  carry  war  into  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  and  desolate 
the  homes  of  hundreds  and  thousands  of  good  people,  who  only  :isked  to 
live  in  j)cace  at  their  old  homes,  and  under  the  government  of  their  in- 
heritance. But  these  comparisons  are  idle.  I  want  peace,  and  believe 
it  can  only  be  reached  through  Union  and  war ;  and  I  will  ever  con- 
duct war  purely  with  a  view  to  perfect  an  early  success. 

"  But,  my  dear  sirs,  when  that  peace  docs  come,  you  may  call  upon 


896  THE  BOYS   OF  '61.  [DcC. 

mc  for  anything.  Tlien  will  I  share  with  you  the  last  cracker,  and 
watch  wiiii  you  to  shield  your  home  and  families  against  danger  from 
every  (jiiarter.  Now,  you  must  go,  and  take  with  you  the  old  and  fee- 
ble ;  fcetl  and  nurse  them,  and  build  for  iheni  in  more  quiet  places  proper 
habitations  to  shield  them  against  the  weather,  until  the  mad  passions 
of  men  cool  down,  and  allow  the  Union  and  peace  onco  more  to  settle  on 
5'our  old  homes  at  Atlanta." 

General  ITood  protested  against  the  order.  Bj  a  flag  of 
truce  he  sent  a  letter,  saying:  — 

"  Permit  mc  to  say,  the  unprecedented  measure  you  propose  tra  .- 
scends  in  studied  and  iniquitous  cruelty  all  acts  ever  before  brought  to 
my  attention  in  this  dark  history  of  the  war.  In  the  name  of  God  and 
humanity,  I  jM'otest,  believing  you  are  expelling  from  homes  and  Hre- 
sides  wives  and  children  of  a  brave  people." 

To  this  Sherman  answered  on  the  same  date:  — 

"  You  style  the  measures  proposed,  *  unprecedented,'  and  appeal 
to  the  dark  history  of  war  for  a  parallel,  as  an  act  of  *  studied  and 
iniquitous  cruelty.'  It  is  not  unprecedented,  for  General  Johnston  him- 
self very  wisely  and  properly  removed  the  families  all  the  way  from 
Dalton  down,  and  I  see  no  reason  why  Atlanta  should  be  excepted. 
Kor  is  it  necessary  to  appeal  to  *  the  dark  history  of  war,'  when  recent 
and  luodern  examples  are  so  handy.  You  yourself  burned  dwelling- 
houses  along  your  parnpet;  and  I  have  seen,  to-day,  fifty  houses  that 
you  have  ren<lered  uninhabitable  because  they  stood  in  the  way  of  your 
foits  and  men.  You  defended  Atlanta  on  a  line  so  close  to  the  town 
that  iiViivy  camion-shot  and  many  musket-shots  from  our  line  of  invest- 
ment, tliat  overshot  their  mark,  went  into  the  habitations  of  women  and 
children.  General  Hardee  did  the  same  thing  at  Jonesboro',  and  Gen- 
eral .loluiston  did  the  same  last  summer  at  Jackson,  Mississippi. 

"  I  have  not  accused  you  of  heartless  cruelty,  but  merely  instance 
these  cases  of  \Qvy  recent  occurrence,  and  could  go  on  and  enumerate 
lunnlreils  of  others,  and  challenge  any  fair  man  to  judge  which  of  us 
has  the  heart  of  pity  for  the  families  of  *  brave  people.'  I  say  it  is 
kindness  to  these  families  of  Atlanta  to  remove  them  at  once  from 
M-eises  that  women  and  children  should  not  be  exposed  to;  and  the 
Mh:iv«'  people'  should  scorn  to  commit  their  wives  and  children  to  the 
ru<le  barbarians  who  thus,  as  you  s^}',  violate  the  rules  of  war  as  illus- 
trated in  the  pages  of  its  'dark  history.' 

"  In  tl:e  name  of  common  sense,  I  ask  you  not  to  *  appeal  to  a  just 
God'  in  such  a  sacrilegious  manner,  —  you  who  in  the  midst  of  peace 


18G4.]  SHEKMAX'S  AR3IY.  397 

and  prosperity  have  plunged  a  nation  into  war,  dark  and  cruel  warj 
who  d.ircd  and  badgered  us  into  battle;  insulted  our  flag;  seized  our 
arsenals  and  forts  liiat  were  left  in  tiie  honorable  custody  of  a  jieaceful 
ordiiMiice  sergeant ;  seized  and  made  ])risoners  even  the  very  first  gar- 
risons sent  to  protect  your  people  against  negroes  and  Indians,  long  be- 
fore any  other  act  was  committed  by  the,  to  you,  'hateful  Lincoln 
government,'  tried  to  force  Missouri  and  Kentucky  into  rebellion,  in 
S])ile  of  themselves;  falsified  the  vote  of  Louisiana;  turned  loose  your 
privateers  to  j»lun(ler  unarmed  ships ;  expelled  Union  families  by  the 
thousands,  burned  their  houses,  an<l  declared  by  acts  of  your  Congress 
the  confiscation  of  all  debts  due  Northern  men  for  goods  had  and  re- 
ceived. Talk  thus  to  the  jNIarines,  but  not  to  me,  who  have  seen  these 
tilings,  and  who  will  this  day  make  as  much  sacrifice  for  the  peace  and 
honor  of  the  South  as  the  best-born  Southerner  among  you.  ]f  wo 
nnist  be  enemies,  let  us  be  men,  and  fight  it  out  as  we  propose  to-day, 
and  not  ileal  in  such  hypocritical  appejds  to  God  and  humanity. 

"  Go«l  will  judge  us  in  due  time,  and  he  will  pronounce  whether  it 
will  be  humane  to  fight  with  a  town  full  of  women  and  the  families  of 
*a  brave  i)coj)le'  at  our  back,  or  to  remove  them  in  lime  to  places  of 
safety  among  their  own  friends  and  people." 

Notwitlistaiuling  tlic  excesses  wliich  were  committed  by  tlio 
foragers  on  Sherman's  march  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea,  liis  army 
maintaiiieJ  its  discijdiiic.  The  soldiers  while  in  and  around 
Savannah  were  orderly  and  quiet.  No  Avoman  was  insulted; 
tlicre  was  no  debauchery,  no  breaking  open  of  houses.  Citizens 
could  walk  the  streets  and  engage  in  business  without  molesta- 
tion. IJfe  and  property  were  respected.  General  Sherman 
in  his  ollicial  report  thus  spoke  of  the  conduct  of  his  sol- 
diers :  — 

"  As  to  the  rank  and  file,  they  seem  so  full  of  confidence  in  them- 
selves that  I  doubt  if  they  want  a  compliment  from  me;  but  I  must 
do  them  the  justice  to  say  that,  whether  called  on  to  fight,  to  march,  to 
wad«!  strejims,  to  make  roads,  clear  out  obstructions,  build  bri<lges,  make 
*  corduroy/  or  tear  up  railroads,  they  have  done  it  with  alacrity  and  a 
degree  of  cheerfulness  unsurpassed.  A  little  loose  in  foraging,  the} 
*did  some  things  they  ought  not  to  have  done,'  yet,  on  the  whole,  they 
have  supplied  the  wants  of  the  army  with  as  little  violence  as  could 
be  cxpecteil,  and  as  little  loss  as  I  calculated.  Some  of  these  foraging 
parties  had  encounters  with  the  enemy  which  would,  in  ordinary  times, 
rank  as  respectable  battles. 

"  The  behavior  of  our  troops  in  Savannah  has  been  so  manly,  so 


898  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [Dco. 

quiet,  so  perfect,  tliat  I  take  it  as  the  best  cviilenco  of  discipline  and 
true  courage.  Never  was  a  hostile  city,  filled  with  Avonien  and  chil- 
dren, occupied  by  a  large  anny  with  less  disorder,  or  more  system, 
order,  and  good  government.  The  same  general  and  generous  spirit 
of  confidence  and  good  feeling  pervades  the  army  which  it  has  ever 
afforded  me  especial  pleasure  to  report  on  former  occasions." 

Altliougli  Slicrniaifs  army  was  composed  of  four  corps,  the 
Fourteenth,  Fifteenth,  Seventeenth,  and  Twentieth,  he  had 
another  made  up  from  all  of  these,  Avhich,  thotigh  unknown 
in  the  Avar  ofhce,  was  of  much  service  to  him  and  of  great 
damage  to  the  enemy.  It  was  known  as  the  "Bummer'* 
Corps.  The  word  is  not  to  bo  found  in  either  of  the  Ameri- 
can unabridged  dictionaries,  though  it  has  become  historic. 
Who  made  it,  or  how  it  came  into  use,  is  not  known.  It  may 
have  been  derived  from  the  word  hum-bailiff,  which  is  a  corru[)- 
tion  of  bound-baililf,  a  subordinate  civil  officer  appointed  to 
serve  writs  and  to  make  executions,  and  bound  with  sureties 
for  a  faithful  discharge  of  liis  trust;  or  from  hum-boat,  a  boat 
used  for  conveying  provisions,  fruit,  and  supjdies  from  shore  to 
ship.  From  the  two  words  wc  get  the  full  meaning  of  tho 
term  Bummer. 

Sherman  could  not  start  from  Atlanta  with  sufficient  sup- 
plies of  bread,  meat,  and  corn  for  his  great  march.  He  must 
live  on  the  country.  Uencc  he  marched  in  four  parallel  col- 
umns, near  enough  to  aid  each  other  if  attacked,  yet  far 
enough  apart  to  mow  a  swath  forty  or  fifty  miles  in  width. 

The  foraging  party,  numbering  over  five  thousand,  always 
on  the  alert,  ever  in  the  advance,  kept  ahead  of  Kilpatrick 
with  his  cavalry. 

"  If  I  come  to  a  town  or  village  or  plantation,  and  stop  to 
obtain  forage,  I  find  that  the  infernal  bummers  have  been 
there,"  said  Kilpatrick. 

Having  authority  to  take  provisions,  the  bummers  were  not 
tardy  in  executing  their  trust.  They  went  in  squads,  fought 
the  Rebel  skirmishers,  and  defeated  Wheeler's  cavalry  in  several 
encounters.  No  matter  how  rich  a  prize  there  might  be  of 
poultry  in  a  fiirm-yard,  the  appearance  of  a  llebel  brought  them 
into  line  for  nnitual  defence. 

Sometimes  they  came  in  with  a  dozen  fresh  horses  loaded  with 


18G4.]  SHERMAX'S  ARirr.  399 

chickens,  turkeys,  and  pip^s.  In  one  instance  a  sqnad,  with 
live  fowls  daiif;ling  at  their  saddles,  was  confronted  by  Rebel 
cavahy.  They  formed  in  line,  fired  a  volley,  and  started  npoii 
a  charge.  The  galloping  of  the  horses,  aceoni])anied  by  tho 
flopping  of  wings,  the  cackling  of  hens,  gobbling  of  tnrkeys,  and 
sqnealing  of  pigs,  stampeded  the  horses  of  the  enemy,  and  gave 
the  bnmmers  an  easy  victory. 

Farm  wagons  were  confiscated  and  Hlled  with  provisions, — 
jars  of  jelly,  preserves,  pickles,  and  honey,  baskets  of  sweet 
potatoes  and  legs  of  bacon.  They  often  rode  grandly  hi  family 
carriages,  accompanied  by  crowds  of  grinning  negroes,  who  liad 
pohited  out  tho  places  where  the  planters  had  secreted  provi- 
sions, and  who  watched  for  Kcbels  while  the  bummer  secured 
his  ])lunder;  and  then,  when  the  master  was  out  of  siglit,  bid 
good  by  forever  to  the  old  plantation,  and  with  light  hearts 
leaped  the  fences,  on  their  way  to  freedom. 

There  were  two  classes  of  bnnnners,  —  the  regular  soldier 
of  the  corps,  who  kept  his  comrades  well  snpplied  with  good 
things,  and  the  irregular  member,  whose  chief  care  was  to 
provide  for  himself. 

They  were  of  great  service,  not  only  as  foragers,  but  as 
flaid-icrs  and  scouts,  keej)ing  Sherman  well  informed  of  tho 
whereabouts  of  tho  Ivcbels.  Yet  their  lawlessness  had  a  de- 
moralizing tendency.  Some  were  tender-hearted,  and  took 
only  what  was  needed  to  eat,  while  others  ransacked  houses, 
ri])[)ed  open  feather-beds,  smashed  looking-glasses  and  crock- 
ery, and  tumbled  tables  and  chairs  about  unceremoniously, 
frightening  women  and  children.  I>ut  a  bummer  outraging 
a  woman  Avould  have  been  hung  by  his  fellows  on  the  nearest 
tree,  or  if  not  by  them  he  Avould  have  had  short  respite  of 
life  from  the  soldiers  in  the  ranks. 

While  in  Savannah  they  had  no  occasion  to  ply  their  voca- 
tion, as  provisions  were  abundant.  Noticing  fnll-grown  chick- 
ens ])icking  up  corn  in  the  streets,  I  expressed  my  surprise  to 
an  ofliccr  of  the  Twentieth  Corps. 

'•  The  fact  is,'*  he  rei)lied,  "we  have  lived  on  chickens  all 
the  way  from  Atlanta.  We  have  had  roast  chicken,  fried 
chicken,  and  stewed  chicken,  till  we  are  tired  of  it." 

But  when  Sherman  resumed  his  march  through  South  Caro- 


400  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [DcC. 

lina,  Iho  summers  were  keener  tliau  ever.  Tlic  whole  finny 
was  eager  to  bei^in  llie  march.  Eacli  regiment,  when  it  crossed 
tlic  Savnnnali  River,  and  set  foot  in  Souih  Carolina,  ^avc  a 
clieer.     'J'licy  were  in  tlie  liot-bed  of  Secession. 

"  We  '11  make  South  Carolina  howl !  "  they  said. 

I  saw  an  unoccupied  mansion,  upon  the  floors  of  which 
were  Ih-ussels  and  tapestry  carpeting,  and  mirrors  of  French 
plate-glass  adorned  the  parlor.  There  was  a  library  with 
well-niled  shelves,  and  in  the  drawing-room  a  cosily  rose- 
wood piano,  —  all  of  which  in  an  hour  were  licked  \ip  by 
the  flames. 

Far  away  to  the  north,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  wcro 
pillars  of  smoke,  ascending  from  other  plantations. 

"  We  '11  jnirify  their  Secession  hate  by  lire,"  said  one. 

The  soldiers  evidently  felt  that  they  were  commissioned  to 
administer  justice  in  the  premises,  and  commenced  by  firing 
the  premises  of  the  South  Carolinians.  They  were  avengers, 
and  their  path  through  that  proud  State  was  marked  by  firo 
and  desolation.  "  South  Carolina  began  the  Rebellion,  and  sho 
shall  suffer  for  it.  If  it  had  not  been  for  her  there  would  havo 
been  no  war.  She  is  responsible  for  all  the  misery,  woe,  and 
bloodshed."     Such  was  the  universal  sentiment. 

Although  Sherman's  troops  carried  the  torch  in  one  hand 
and  the  sword  in  the  other,  and  visited  terrible  retribution 
upon  the  Rebels,  they  were  quick  to  relieve  the  wants  of  tho 
truly  loyal.  A  few  days  before  reaching  Savannah  they  camo 
to  a  j)lantation  owned  by  a  man  who  through  all  the  war 
had  remained  faithful  to  the  Union.  lie  had  been  hunted 
through  the  woods  with  bloodhounds  by  the  Rebel  conscript 
oflicers.  Hearing  the  Yankees  had  arrived,  he  came  out  from 
his  hiding-place,  and  joined  the  Twentieth  Corps,  with  tho 
intention  of  accompanying  it  to  Savannah.  The  soldiers  made 
up  for  him  a  purse  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  dollars.  AVhen 
it  was  presented  he  burst  into  tears.  lie  could  only  say,  so 
great  was  his  emotion,  "  Gentlemen,  I  most  heartily  thank 
you.  It  is  a  kindness  I  never  expected.  I  have  been  hunted 
through  swamps  month  after  month,  ^fy  wife  and  children 
have  been  half  starved,  insulted,  and  abused,  and  all  because 
wo  loved  tho  old  flag." 


SIIEKMAXS  ARMY. 


401 


1801.] 

The  stories  which  were  lold  hy  those  refugees,  of  Union  men 
and  conscripts  liuntcd  hy  bloodiiounds,  of  iniprisonnicnt  and 
ninrilor  by  J^chcls,  — of  the  suirerings  of 'the  Union  prisoners 
at  Miilcn,  Lihl»y,  Salisbury,  and  Andcrsonville,  — wrouglit  the 
Boldicrs  of  Shermans  army  into  a  frenzy  of  wrath  against 
Souih  CaroUna. 


MT.   VERNON. 


EDWARD    EVERETT. 
TUE   CAITIOL. 


SAVANNAH. 

lie 


e       '  •      )o 


402  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  I  Doc. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

CHRISTIANITY    AND    BARBARISM. 

WnEN  Slicrman's  army  entered  Savannali  llie  people  of  tliat 
city  were  on  the  verge  of  starvation.  The  Rebel  autlioriiies 
had  not  accumnlated  suIVicient  sni)j)lics  for  a  long  defence.  They 
were  ignorant  of  the  intentions  of  Sherman  when  he  left  Atlanta, 
and  were  unable  to  see  through  liis  i)lan  till  too  late  to  ])ut  the 
place  in  condition  to  withstand  a  siege.  Rreastworks  were  hastily 
thrown  up  on  the  west  side  of  the  city.  The  eastern  apj)roaches 
were  strongly  protected  by  a  series  of  forts,  turrets,  and  bat- 
teries built  by  slaves  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  in  which  wero 
bcavy  guns  commanding  the  river  and  tlic  roads.  No  one  had 
dreamed  that  the  Yankees  wonld  come  from  the  west.  When 
Sherman  was  fairly  on  his  march  there  was  consternation  in 
all  the  cities  along  the  coast.  Charleston  expected  him. 
Would  he  uot  aim  directly  toward  the  cradle  of  Secession? 
The  people  of  ^Mobile  believed  that  the  fleet  which  was  gather- 
ijig  in  the  Gulf  was  destined  to  co-operate  with  the  "ruthless 
invader"  in  an  attack  upon  them.  The  inhabitants  of  Bruns- 
wick expected  to  see  him  there.  The  citizens  of  Savannah 
yrcrc;  equally  alarmed.  Proclamations  and  manifestoes  wero 
issued...  Gpt^ernor  Brown  called  upon  the  Georgians  to  riso 
ii>  jV.oir  inight ;  but  their  former  might  was  weakness  now. 
1ri,»ey:liad  ;lc»5J  heart.  They  saw  that  their  cause  was  fiiling. 
Their  armies,  successful  in  the  beginning,  had  won  no  victory 
for  many  months.  The  appeals  of  the  Governor,  the  manifes- 
toes of  the  Rebel  generals,  the  calls  of  municipal  authorities, 
and  the  exhortations  of  Davis,  awakened  no  enthusiasm.  Tho 
planters  did  not  hasten  to  the  rendezvous,  nor  respond  to  tho 
call  to  send  provisions.  The  Rebel  quartermasters  and  com- 
missaries were  active  in  making  forced  levies,  and  the  con- 
scription bureau  was  vigilant  in  bringing  in  reluctant  recruits; 
but  before  preparations  for  defending  the  city  wero  completed 
Sherman  was  thundering:  at  the  door 


1864.]  cnrJSTiAXiTY  and  bakbakism.  403 

Wlicii  lie  saw  the  destitution,  lie  made  an  appeal  to  the  liu- 
manity  of  the  people  of  tlie  North.  Boston,  New  York,  and 
Philadelphia  were  quick  to  resj)Ond.  In  Boston  tliirty  thou- 
sand dolhirs  were  contributed  in  four  days,  a  steamer  chartered, 
loaded,  and  despatched  on  its  errand  of  mercy.  The  occasion 
being  so  unus\ial,  1  deemed  it  worth  while  to  visit  Savamiah, 
to  be  an  eyewitness  of  the  reception  of  the  timely  and  munifi- 
cent gift. 

Tlie  employment  of  the  steamer  Greyhound  on  such  a  mis- 
sion added  to  the  interest.  She  was  a  ca|)turcd  blockade- 
runner,  built  at  Greenock,  Scotland,  in  1808,  purposely  to  run 
the  blockade.  She  made  one  trip  into  Wilmington,  and  was 
seized  while  attempting  to  escape  from  that  port.  In  every 
timber,  plank,  rivet,  and  brace  was  England's  hatred  of  the 
North,  support  of  the  South,  and  cupidity  for  themselves;  but 
now  she  carried  peace  and  good-will,  not  only  to  the  people  of 
Savannah,  but  to  men  of  every  clime  and  lineage,  race  and 
nation.  The  Greyhound  speeding  her  way  was  a  type  aiul 
symbol  of  the  American  Ilepublic,  freighted  with  the  world's 
best  hopes,  and  sailing  proudly  forward  to  the  future  cen- 
turies. 

Among  the  passengers  on  hoard  at  the  time  of  her  capture 
was  Miss  Belle  Boyd,  of  notoriety  as  a  spy, — hold,  venture- 
some, and  dashing,  unscrupulous,  bitter  in  her  hatred  of  tho 
Yankees,  regardless  of  truth  or  honor,  if  she  could  but  servo 
the  Rebels.  She  was  of  great  service  to  them  in  the  Shenan- 
doah. Being  within  the  Union  lines,  she  obtained  information 
which  on  several  occasions  enabled  Jackson  to  make  those  sud- 
den dashes  which  gave  him  his  early  fame. 

It  was  nearly  dark  on  Saturday  evening,  January  14th,  when 
the  Greyhound  dischaiged  her  pilot  olT  Boston  Light.  Tho 
weather  was  thick,  the  wind  southeast,  hut  during  the  night  it 
changed  to  the  northwest  and  blew  a  gale.  The  cold  was  intense. 
Sunday  morning  found  us  in  Holmes's  Hole,  covered  with  ice. 
At  noon  the  gale  abated,  and  we  ran  swiftly  across  the  Vineyard 
Sound,  shaping  our  course  for  Ilatteras.  OH*  Charleston  wo 
passed  through  the  blockading  fleet,  which  was  gayly  deco- 
rated in  honor  of  the  taking  of  Fort  Fisher.  The  llebcl  (lag 
was  floating  defiantly  over  Sumter.    On  Thursday  evening  wo 


404  THK   BOYS   OK   '61.  [DcC 

dropped  anclior  olT  Port  Royal,  ^vhcrc  a  half-day  was  lost  in 
oljlain'mg  permission  from  the  custom-house  to  ]»rocecd  to 
Savannah.  The  ohstructions  in  Savannah  Klver  made  it  iio- 
cessary  to  enter  Warsaw  .Sound  and  <;o  up  AVilmin^ton  Uiver. 
Witli  a  colored  ])ilot,  —  the  only  one  obtainahle,  icconnnendcd 
by  the  Jlarhor-Mastcr  of  Hilton  Head,  —  the  Greyhound  put  to 
sea  once  moi-e,  ran  down  llie  coast,  and  on  Sunday  morniiii^  en- 
tered the  Sound.  Our  ]>ilot  professed  to  know  all  the  crooks 
and  tui"ns  of  the  river,  hut  suddenly  we  found  ourselves  fast  on 
a  mud-hank.  It  was  ehh-tide,  and  the  incoming  Hood  floated 
us  again.  Then  the  engines  refused  to  work,  the  ])umps  having 
become  foul,  and  the  anchor  was  dropped  just  in  season  to  savo 
the  steamer  from  drifting  broadside  upon  a  sandbar.  It  was 
ten  miles  to  Thunderbolt  Hattery.  The  ca])tain  of  a  ])ilot-boat 
was  kind  enough  to  send  Messrs.  Briggs  and  lialdwin,  of  tho 
committee  of  the  citizens  of  J]oston  in  charge  of  the  supplies, 
Mr.  Glidden,  of  the  firm  owning  the  Greyhound,  and  tho 
writer,  up  to  that  point.  We  landed,  and  stood  where  tho 
Rebels  had  made  sad  havoc  of  what  was  once  a  pleasant  village. 
Some  Iowa  soldiers,  on  seediest  horses  and  sorriest  nudes,  wero 
riding  round  on  a  frolic.  Shiftless,  long-haired,  red-eyed  men 
and  women,  lounging  about,  dressed  in  coarsest  homespun, 
stared  at  \is.  A  score  of  horses  and  mules  were  in  sight,  and 
here  were  collected  old  carts,  wagons,  and  carriages  which 
Sherman's  boys  had  brought  from  the  interior. 

"  Wc  want  to  get  a  horse  and  wagon  to  take  us  to  Savarc- 
nah,"  said  one  of  the  party  to  a  little  old  man,  standhsg  at 
the  door  of  a  house. 

"  Wal,  I  reckon  ye  can  take  any  one  of  these  yore,"  he  said, 
pointing  to  the  horses  and  mules.  Such  animals!  Ringboned, 
spavined,  knock-kneed,  wall-eyed,  sore-backed,  —  mere  hides 
and  bones,  some  of  them  too  weak  to  stand,  others  unable 
to  lie  down  on  account  of  stilT  joints. 

"  Uow  far  is  it  to  Savannah  ?  *'  wc  asked  of  the  residents  of 
the  village. 

"  Three  miles,'*  said  one. 

"  Two  miles  and  a  half,  I  reckon,"  said  a  second. 

"  Three  miles  and  three  quarters,"  was  the  estimate  of  a 
third  person. 


18G4.]  CIIKISTIAXITY  AND  BARBAKISM.  405 

A  woman,  dressed  in  a  plaid  petticoat,  a  sniifT-colorcd  llnscy- 
woolscy  tunic,  willi  a  tawny  couiiteiiaiicc,  Ijlack  liair,  and  flash- 
ing black  eyes,  smoking  a  ]>ij)e,  said  :  "  1  '11  tell  yer  how  {"ur  it 
be.  Savannah  be  a  IVying-pan  and  ThundeiboU  be  the  handle, 
and  I  live  on  the  eend  on  it.     It  be  four  miles  long,  zactly." 

Two  colored  soldiers  rode  np,  both  on  one  horse,  with  "  55  " 
on  their  caps. 

^'  What  regiment  do  yon  belong  to  ?  " 

"The  Fifty-FiClh  Massachusetts." 

Their  camp  was  a  mile  or  so  up  river.  A  steamboat  cnptani, 
wh.o  wi:?hed  to  communicate  Avith  the  qr.ai'termaster,  came  np' 
stream  in  his  boat  and  kindly  oilered  to  take  us  to  the  Fifly- 
Fifth.  ]l  began  to  rain,  and  we  landed  near  a  line  old  niansion 
sin"roundcd  by  live-oaks,  their  gnarled  branches  drajied  with 
festoons  of  inoss,  where  we  thought  to  hud  accotnmodations  for 
tlie  night;  but  no  one  answered  our  ringing.  'J'he  doors  were 
0])en,  the  windows  smasheel  in  ;  marble  mantels,  of  elaborate 
workmanshij),  marred  and  defaced  ;  the  Avails  written  over  Aviih 
doggerel.  'J'here  were  bunks  in  the  parlors,  broken  crockery, 
old  boots, —  debris  everywhere. 

'J'he  connnittee  took  ])ossession  of  the  jiremises  and  made 
themselves  at  home  before  a  roaring  (ire,  Avhile  the  writer  Avent 
out  upon  a  reconnoissance,  bringing  back  the  intelligence  that 
the  camj)  of  the  Fifty-Fifih  Avas  a  mile  farther  np  the  liver.  It 
was  dark  Avhen  Ave  reached  the  hospitable  shanty  of  iiieutenant- 
Colonel  Fox,  Avho,  in  the  absence  of  Colonel  llai-twcll,  Avas 
connnanding  the  regiment,  Avhich  had  been  there  but  twenty- 
four  hours.     'J'he  soldiers  had  no  tents. 

One  of  the  connnittee  rode  into  Savannah,  thi-ough  a  drench- 
ing rain,  to  rcj)Oi-t  to  General  Grovcr.  'J'he  night  came  on 
thick  and  dark.  'J'he  rain  Avas  ])ouring  in  torrents.  Colonel 
Fox,  Avith  great  kindness,  oHcred  to  escort  us  to  a  house  near 
by,  Avhere  we  could  find  shelter.  We  splashed. through  the  mud, 
holding  on  loeach  other's  coat-tails,  going  over  boots  in  muddy 
water,  tumbling  over  logs,  losing  our  Avay,  being  scratclied  by 
braml)les,  falling  into  ditches,  bringing  up  against  trees,  halting 
at  length  against  a  fence,  —  following  Avhich  Ave  reached  the 
house.  'J'he  owner  had  Hod,  and  the  occui)ant  had  moved  iir 
because  it  Avas  a  free  country  and  the  place  Avas  inviting.     IJo 


406  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [DoC. 

had  no  bed  for  us,  but  quickly  kindled  a  fire  in  one  of  tlio 
chambers  and  spread  some  quilts  upon  the  floor.  "I  haven't 
much  wood,  but  I  reckon  J  can  jiick  up  something  that  will 
make  a  fire,"  said  he.  Then  came  the  ])itch-pine  staves  of  a 
rice-cask ;  then  a  bedstead,  a  broken  chair,  a  wooden  flower- 
pot! 

The  morning  dawned  bright  and  clear.  General  0 rover 
Kent  out  hoi-ses  for  us,  and  so  we  reached  the  city  after  many 
vexatious  delays  and  rough  ex})ericnces. 

The  people  in  Savannah  gciiei-ally  were  ready  to  live  once 
more  in  the  Ujiion.  The  fire  of  Secession  had  died  out. 
There  was  not  much  sourness,  —  less  even  than  I  saw  at  Lfem- 
phis  Avheu  that  city  fell  into  our  hands,  less  than  was  mani- 
fested in  Louisville  at  the  hegiiming  of  the  war. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  resolutions  expressive  of  grati- 
tude for  the  charity  bestowed  by  Boston,  New  York,  and  l*hil- 
adeljjhia  were  passed,  also  of  a  desire  for  future  fellowship 
and  amity. 

A  store  at  the  corner  of  Bay  and  Barnard  Streets  was  taken 
for  a  depot,  the  city  canvassed,  and  a  rcgistiy  made  of  all 
who  were  in  want.  I  passed  a  morning  among  the  people  who 
came  for  food.  The  air  was  keen.  Ice  had  formed  in  tho 
gutters,  and  some  of  the  jolly  young  negroes,  who  had  pro- 
vided themselves  with  old  shoes  and  boots  from  tho  camp- 
grounds of  Sherman's  soldiers,  were  enjoying  the  luxurious 
pastime  of  a  slide  on  the  ice.  The  barefooted  cuddled  under 
the  sunny  side  of  the  buildings.  There  was  a  motely  crowd, 
llundrcds  of  both  sexes,  all  ages,  sizes,  complexions,  and  cos- 
tumes; gray-haired  old  men  of  Anglo-Saxon  blood,  with  bags, 
bottles,  and  baskets  ;  colored  patriarchs,  who  had  been  iu  bond- 
age many  years,  sudilenly  made  freemen ;  well-dressed  women 
wearing  crape  for  their  husbands  and  sons  who  had  fallen 
while  fighting  against  the  old  flag,  stood  patiently  waiting  their 
turn  to  enter  the  building,  where  through  the  open  doors 
they  could  sec  barrels  of  flour,  pork,  beans,  and  piles  of  bacon, 
hogsheads  of  sugar,  molasses,  and  vinegar.  There  were  wo- 
men with  tattered  dresses,  —  old  silks  and  satins,  years  before 
ill  fashion,  and  laid  aside  as  useless,  but  which  now  had  bd- 
come  valuable  through  destitution. 


1864.]  CHKISTIANITY   AND   BARBARISM.  407 

There  were  women  in  linsey-Avoolsey,  in  negro  and  gunny 
clotli,  in  garments  made  from  meal-bags,  and  men  in  Confed- 
erate gray  and  butternut  brown ;  a  boy  with  a  crimson  ])hish 
jacket,  made  from  the  upliolstering  of  a  sofa  ;  men  in  short  jack- 
ets, and  little  boys  in  long  ones  ;  the  cast-oif  clothes  of  soldiers  ; 
the  rags  which  had  been  j)ickcd  Tip  in  the  streets,  and  exhumed 
from  garrets ;  boots  and  shoes  down  at  the  heel,  open  at  the 
instep,  and  gaping  at  the  toes;  old  bonnets  of  every  descri}> 
tion,  some  with  white  and  crimson  feathers,  and  ribbons  once 
bright  and  flaunting  ;  hats  of  every  style  worn  by  both  sexes, 
palm-Icaf,  felt,  straw,  old  and  battered  and  well  ventilated. 
One  without  a  crown  was  worn  by  a  man  with  red  hair,  sug- 
gestive of  a  chimney  on  fire,  and  flaming  out  at  the  top!  It 
was  the  ragman's  jubilee  for  charity. 

One  of  the  tickets  issued  by  the  city  authorities,  in  the  hand 
of  a  woman  waiting  her  turn  at  the  counter,  read  thus:  — 

"CITY  STOKE. 

Mary  Morrell. 
12  lbs.  Flour, 
7    «     IJacon, 
2    "      Salt, 
2  qts.  Vijicgar." 

Andcrsonvillc,  Belle  Isle,  Libby  Prison,  Millcn,  and  Salis- 
bury will  forever  stand  in  suggestive  contrast  to  this  City  Storo 
in  Savannah,  furnished  by  the  free-will  offering  of  the  loyal 
pcoj»le  of  the  North. 

"  At  Libby,"  reads  the  report  of  the  United  States  Sanitary 
Committee,  "a  process  of  slow  starvation  was  carried  on. 
The  corn-bread  was  of  the  roughest  and  coarsest  description. 
Portions  of  the  cob  and  husk  were  often  found  grated  in  with 
the  meal.  The  crust  was  so  thick  and  hard  that  the  prisoners 
called  it '  iron  clad.'  To  render  the  bread  eatable  they  grated 
it,  and  made  mush  of  it ;  but  the  crust  they  could  not  grate. 
Now  and  then,  after  long  intervals,  often  of  many  weeks,  a 
little  meat  was  given  them,  perhaps  two  or  three  mouthfuls. 
At  a  later  period  they  received  a  pint  of  black  peas,  with  some 
vinegar,  every  week ;  the  peas  were  often  full  of  worms,  or 
maggots  in  a  chrysalis  state,  which,  when  they  made  soup, 

floated  on  the  surface But  the  most  unaccountable 

and  shameful  act  of  all  was  yet  to  come.     Shortly  after  this 


408  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [DcC. 

general  diminution  of  rations,  in  the  month  of  January,  llio 
boxes  (sent  by  friends  in  tlie  North  to  the  ])iisoncrs),  uhich 
before  had  been  regularly  delivered,  and  in  <^ood  order,  wcro 
withlield.  No  reason  was  given.  Tiu-ee  hundred  arrived  every 
week,  and  were  received  by  Colonel  Ould,  Commissioner  of 
Exchange  ;  but  instead  of  being  distribnted,  they  were  retained 
and  piled  up  in  warehouses  near  by,  in  full  sight  of  the  tanta- 
lized and  hungry  captives."* 

While  these  supplies  were  being  distributed  to  the  people  of 
Savamiah,  thirty  thousand  Union  ])risonei's  in  the  hands  of  tho 
Rebels  in  Southwestern  Georgia  were  starving  to  death,  —  not 
from  a  scarcity  of  food,  but  in  accordance  with  a  deliberately 
formed  j)lan  to  render  them  unfit  for  future  service  in  tho 
Union  raidvs  by  their  inhuman  treatment,  should  they  live  to 
be  exchanged. 

What  a  page  of  darkness  for  the  future  historian  ! 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Rebel  prisoners  in  tho  North  received 
invariably  the  same  rations,  in  quality  and  quantity,  given 
to  the  Union  soldiers  in  the  field,  with  ample  clothing,  fuel, 
and  shelter.  So  unexceptional  was  their  treatment,  that  sinco 
the  war  a  Southern  writer,  desirous  of  removing  the  load  of 
infamy  resting  upon  the  South,  has  adveitised  for  statements 
of  unkind  treatment  in  Northern  prisons  If 

Of  the  treatment  of  Union  soldiers  in  the  Southern  prisons 
the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission  says :  — 

"The  prisoners  were  almost  invariably  rol)l>e(l  of  everything  valuable 
in  their  possession;  sometimes  on  tlie  fieltl,  at  the  instant  of  cripturc, 
sometimes  by  the  prison  authorities,  in  a  (|Masi-onicial  way,  wiili  tho 
promise  of  return  when  exchanged  or  paroled,  but  which  promise  waa 
never  fullilled.  This  robbery  amounted  often  to  a  stripping  of  tlie  per- 
son  of  even  necessary  clothing.  Blankets  and  overcoats  were  ahnost 
always  taken,  and  sometimes  other  articles;  in  wliich  case  damaged 
ones  were  returned  in  their  stead.  Tiiis  preliminary  over,  the  captives 
were  taken  to  prison." 

At  the  trial  of  Wirz,  the  commandant  of  Andersonville,  Dr. 
John  C.  Bates,  a  surgeon  of  the  Rebel  service,  testified  as 
follows :  — 

♦  I?ci)ort  of  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission 
t  Sec  the  Watchman,  New  York. 


1864.]  CHRISTIANITY  AND  BARBARISM.  40V> 

"My  attention  was  called  to  a  patient  in  my  ward  who  was  only 
fifteen  or  sixteen  years  of  age.  I  took  much  interest  in  him,  owing  to 
his  youth.  He  would  ask  me  to  bring  him  a  potato,  bread,  or  biscuit, 
which  I  did.  I  put  them  in  my  pocket.  He  had  scurvy  and  gangrene. 
I  advised  him  not  to  cook  the  potato,  but  to  eat  it  raw.  He  became 
more  and  more  emaciated,  his  sores  gangrened,  and  for  want  of  food, 
and  from  lice,  he  died.  I  understood  that  it  was  against  orders  to  take 
anything  in  to  the  prisoners,  and  hence  I  was  shy  in  slipping  food  into 
my  pockets.  Others  in  the  ward  came  to  their  death  from  the  same 
causes.  When  I  went  there,  there  were  two  thousand  or  two  thousand 
five  hundred  sick.  I  judge  twenty  or  twenty-five  thousand  persons 
were  crowded  together.  Some  had  made  holes  and  burrows  in  the 
earth.  Those  under  the  sheds  were  doing  comparatively  well.  I  saw 
but  little  shelter,  excepting  what  ingenuity  had  devised.  I  found  them 
suffering  with  scurvy,  dropsy,  diarrhoea,  gangrene,  pneumonia,  and  other 
diseases.  When  prisoners  died,  they  were  laid  in  wagons,  head  fore- 
most, to  be  carried  off.  I  don't  know  how  they  were  buried.  The 
efiluvia  from  the  hospital  was  very  offensive.  If  by  accident  my  hand 
was  abraded,  I  would  not  go  into  the  hospital  without  putting  a  plaster 
over  the  affected  part.  If  persons  whose  systems  were  reduced  by 
inanition  should  by  chance  stump  a  toe  or  scratch  the  hand,  the  next 
report  to  me  was  gangrene,  so  potent  was  the  regular  hospital  gangrene. 
The  prisoners  were  more  thickly  confined  in  the  stockade,  —  like  ants 
and  bees.  Dogs  were  kept  to  hunt  down  the  prisoners  who  escaped. 
Fifty  per  cent  of  those  who  died  might  have  been  saved  had  the  patients 
been  properly  cared  for.  The  effect  of  the  treatment  of  the  prisoners 
was,  morally  as  well  as  physically,  injurious.  There  was  much  stealing 
among  them.  All  lived  each  for  himself.  I  suppose  this  was  super- 
induced by  their  starving  condition.  Seeing  the  dying  condition  of  some 
of  them,  I  remarked  to  my  student,  *I  can't  resuscitate  them;  the 
weather  is  chilling ;  it  is  a  matter  of  impossibility.'  I  found  persons 
lying  dead  sometimes  among  the  living.  Thinking  they  merely  slept, 
I  went  to  wake  them  up  and  found  they  had  taken  their  everlasting 
sleep.  This  was  in  the  hospital.  I  judge  it  was  about  the  same  in  the 
stockade.  There  being  no  dead-house,  I  erected  a  tent  for  the  purpose, 
but  I  soon  found  that  a  blanket  or  quilt  had  been  clipped  off  the  canvas ; 
and  as  the  material  could  not  be  readily  supplied,  the  dead-house  was 
abandoned.  I  don't  think  any  more  dead-houses  were  erected.  The 
daily  ration  was  less  in  September,  October,  November,  and  December 
than  it  was  from  the  1st  of  January  to  the  20th  of  March.  The  men 
had  not  over  twenty  ounces  of  food  in  the  twenty-four  hours.'* 

The  prison  at  Andersonville  was  established  in  January, 


410  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  [DeC. 

1864,  and  was  used  a  little  more  than  a  year.  It  was  in  the 
form  of  a  quadrangle,  1,295  feet  long,  865  feet  wide.  A  small 
stream,  rising  from  neighhoring  springs,  flowed  through  the 
grounds.  Within  the  enclosure,  seventeen  feet  from  the  stock- 
ade, the  dead-line  was  cstabUslied,  marked  by  small  posts,  to 
which  a  slight  strip  of  board  was  nailed.  Upon  the  mner 
stockade  were  fifty-two  sentry-boxes,  in  which  the  guards 
stood  with  loaded  muskets ;  while  overlooking  the  enclosure 
were  several  forts,  with  field  artillery  in  position,  to  pour  grape 
and  canister  upon  the  perishing  men  at  the  first  sign  of  insur- 
rection. 

Miss  Clara  Barton,  the  heroic  and  tender-hearted  woman 
who,  in  the  employ  of  government,  visited  this  charnel-house 
to  identify  the  graves  of  the  victims,  thus  reports:  — 

"  Under  the  most  favorable  circumstances  and  best  possible  manage- 
ment the  supply  of  water  would  have  been  insufficient  for  half  the  num- 
ber of  persons  wlio  had  to  use  it.  The  existing  arrangements  must 
have  aggravated  the  evil  to  the  utmost  extent.  The  solo  establishments 
for  cooking  and  baking  were  placed  on  the  bank  of  the  stream  immedi- 
ately above  and  between  the  two  inner  lines  of  the  pallisades.  The 
grease  and  refuse  from  them  were  found  adhering  to  the  banks  at  the 
time  of  our  visit.  The  guards,  to  the  number  of  three  thousand  six 
hundred,  were  principally  encamped  on  the  upper  part  of  the  gtream, 
and  when  the  heavy  rains  washed  down  the  hillsides  covered  with  thir- 
ty thousand  human  beings,  and  the  outlet  below  failed  to  discharge  the 
flood  which  backed  and  filled  the  valley,  the  water  must  have  become 
so  foul  and  loathsome  tiiat  every  statement  I  have  seen  of  its  ofTensive- 
ness  must  fall  short  of  the  reality  ;  and  yet  within  rifle-shot  of  the  prison 
flowed  a  stream,  fifteen  feet  wide  and  three  feet  deep,  of  pure,  deiicious 
water.  Had  the  prison  been  placed  so  as  to  include  a  section  of '  Sweet 
Water  Creek,'  the  inmates  might  have  drank  and  bathed  to  their  hearts* 
content."  * 

The  prisoners  had  no  shelter  from  the  fierce  sun  of  summer, 
the  pelting  autumn  rahis,  or  the  cold  of  winter,  except  a  few 
tattered  tents.  Thousands  were  destitute  of  blankets.  For 
refuge  they  dug  burrows  in  the  ground. 

Miss  Barton  says  :  — 

**  The  little  caves  are  scooped  out  and  arched  in  the  form  of  ovens, 
*  Miss  Barton's  Keport. 


1864.]  CHBISTIANITY   AND   BABBARISM.  411 

floored,  ceiled,  and  strengthened,  so  far  as  the  owners  had  means,  with 
sticks  and  pieces  of  board,  and  some  of  them  are  provided  with  fire- 
places and  chimneys.  It  would  seem  that  there  were  cases,  during  the 
long  rains,  where  the  house  would  become  the  grave  of  its  owner  by 

falling  upon  him  in  the  night During  thirteen  long  months  they 

knew  neither  shelter  nor  protection  from  the  changeable  skies  above, 

nor  the  pitiless,  unfeeling  earth  beneath 

"Think  of  thirty  thousand  men  penned  by  close  stockade  upon  twenty- 
flix  acres  of  ground,  from  which  every  tree  and  shrub  had  been  uproot- 
ed for  fuel  to  cook  their  scanty  food,  huddled  like  cattle,  without  shelter 
or  blanket,  half  clad  and  hungry,  with  the  dewy  night  setting  in  after  a 
day  of  autumn  rain.  The  hilltop  would  not  hold  them  all,  the  valley 
was  filled  by  the  swollen  brook.  Seventeen  feet  from  the  stockade  ran 
the  fatal  dead-line,  beyond  which  no  man  might  step  and  live.  What 
did  they  do  ?  I  need  not  ask  where  did  they  go,  for  on  the  face  of  the 
whole  earth  there  was  no  place  but  this  for  them.  But  where  did  they 
place  themselves  ?     How  did  they  live  ?     Ay !  how  did  they  die  ?  " 

Twelve  thousand  nine  hundred  and  ninety  graves  are  num- 
bered on  the  neighboring  hillside,  —  the  starved  and  murdered 
of  thirteen  months,  —  one  thousand  per  month,  thirty-three  per 
day  !  Murdered  by  Jeif  Davis,  Robert  E.  Lee,  James  Seddon, 
and  John  G.  Breckenridge  !  Murdered  under  official  sanction, 
m  accordance  with  premeditated  design.  Davis,  Lee,  Seddon, 
and  Breckenridge  may  not  have  issued  orders  to  starve  the  pris- 
oners ;  but  if  cognizant  of  any  inhumanity,  it  was  in  the  power 
of  Davis  to  stop  it,  and  of  Lee,  as  commander-in-chief  of  the 
army,  as  also  of  Sedden,  and  after  him  Breckenridge,  secretaries 
of  war.  A  word  from  either  of  these  officials  would  have  se- 
cured humane  treatment. 

General  Lee  is  beloved  by  the  Southern  people  for  his  ami- 
ability, his  gentleness  and  generosity,  as  well  as  his  unselfish 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  Secession.  But  the  historian  will 
doubtless  keep  in  mind  that  to  be  amiable  is  to  be  worthy  of 
esteem  and  confidence.  Those  who  have  espoused  the  cause 
of  the  Union  cannot  discover  much  amiability  ui  one  who  re- 
mained in  the  service  of  the  government  as  the  confidant  of  tho 
commander-in-chief  of  the  army  of  the  United  States  till  hostili- 
ties were  commenced,  and  then,  three  days  after  his  resignation, 
accepted  the  command  of  the  Rebel  forces  in  Virginia.     Fort 


412  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [DcC. 

Sumter  was  fired  upon  April  12, 1861.  General  Lee  resigned 
his  commission  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  on  the 
19th,  and  on  the  22d  took  command  of  Rebel  troops  at  Rich- 
mond. The  State  had  not  then  seceded.  The  ordinance  of  Se- 
cession was  passed  by  the  convention  on  the  17th  of  the  same 
month,  to  be  submitted  to  popular  vote  for  ratification  on  the 
third  Tuesday  of  May.  Without  waiting  for  the  action  of  the 
people  of  his  State,  General  Lee  issued  his  military  orders  and 
waged  war  against  the  United  States. 

The  future  historian  will  not  overlook  the  fact  that  General 
Lee,  if  not  issuing  direct  orders  for  the  starvation  of  Union  pris- 
oners, made  no  remonstrance  against  the  barbarities  of  Ander- 
son ville,  or  of  the  course  taken  to  debauch  the  patriotism  of  the 
Union  soldiers.  It  was  promised  that  whoever  would  acknowl- 
edge allegiance  to  the  Confederacy,  or  consent  to  make  shoes 
or  harness  or  clothing  for  the  Rebels,  should  have  the  privilege 
of  gomg  out  from  the  stockade,  and  finding  comfortable  quar- 
ters and  plenty  of  food  and  clothing.  Thus  tempted,  some 
faltered,  while  others  died  rather  than  be  released  on  such 
terms,  preferring,  in  their  love  for  the  flag,  to  be  thrown  like 
logs  into  the  dead-cart,  and  tumbled  into  the  shallow  trenches 
on  the  hillside ! 

Among  the  prisoners  was  a  lad  who  pined  for  his  far-off 
Northern  home.  Often  his  boyish  heart  went  out  lovingly  to 
his  father  and  mother  and  fair-haired  sister.  How  could  he 
die  in  that  prison !  How  close  his  eyes  on  all  the  bright  years 
of  the  future  !  How  lie  down  in  death  in  that  loathsome  place, 
when,  by  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Southern  Con- 
federacy, he  could  obtain  freedom  ?  His  comrades  were  dying. 
Every  day  the  dead-cart  came  and  bore  them  away  by  scores  and 
hundreds.  What  a  siglit  their  stony  eyes,  sunken  cheeks,  and 
swaying  limbs  1     Around  him  was  a  crowd  of  living  skeletons. 

"  Take  the  oatli  and  you  shall  live,"  said  the  tempter.  What 
a  trial !  Life  was  sweet.  All  that  a  man  hath  will  he  give  for 
his  life.  How  blessed  if  he  could  but  hear  once  more  the  voice 
of  his  mother,  or  grasp  again  a  father's  hand !  What  wonder 
that  hunger,  despair,  and  death,  and  the  example  of  some  ot 
his  comrades,  made  him  weakly  hesitate  ? 

Too  feeble  to  walk  or  to  stand,  he  crawled  away  from  tho 


1864.]  CHRISTIANITY   AND  BARBARISM.  418 

dying  and  the  dead,  over  the  ground  reeking  with  filth.  He 
had  almost  reached  the  gate  beyond  which  were  life  and  liberty. 
A  comrade,  stronger  and  older,  suspected  his  purpose.  Through 
the  long,  weary  months  this  brave  soldier  had  solaced  his  heart 
by  taking  at  times  from  his  bosom  a  little  flag,  —  the  stars  and 
stripes,  —  adoring  it  as  the  most  sacred  of  all  earthly  things. 
He  held  it  before  the  boy.  It  was  the  flag  he  loved.  He  had 
sworn  to  support  it, —  never  to  forsake  it.  He  had  stood  be- 
neath it  in  the  fierce  conflict,  quailing  not  when  the  death- 
storm  was  thickest.  Tears  dimmed  his  eyes  as  he  beheld  it 
once  more.  Tremblingly  he  grasped  it  with  his  skeleton  fin- 
gers, kissed  it,  laid  it  on  his  heart,  and  cried,  "  God  help  me ! 
I  can't  turn  my  back  upon  it.  0  comrade,  I  am  dying ;  but  I 
want  you,  if  ever  you  get  out  of  this  horrible  place,  to  tell  my 
mother  that  I  stood  by  the  old  flag  to  ^le  last ! " 

And  then,  with  the  flag  he  loved  lying  on  his  heart,  he  closed 
his  eyes,  and  his  soul  passed  on  to  receive  that  reward  which 
awaits  those  to  whom  duty  is  greater  than  life. 

"  On  Fame's  eternal  camping-ground 
Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  Glory  guards,  with  solemn  round, 
The  bivouac  of  the  dead." 

This  is  the  contrast  between  Christian  charky  and  barbanc 
hate, — not  that  all  the  people  of  the  South  were  inhuman,  or 
that  men  there  are  by  nature  more  wicked  than  all  others ;  but 
the  barbarity  was  the  legitimate  outgrowth  of  slavery. 

The  armies  of  the  South  fought  bravely  and  devotedly  to 
establish  a  Confederacy  with  slavery  for  its  corner-stone  ;  but 
not  their  valor,  sacrifice,  and  endurance,  not  Stonewall  Jack- 
son's religious  enthusiasm  or  intrepidity,  not  Lee's  military 
exploits,  can  avail  to  blot  the  horrors  of  Andersonville  from 
the  historic  record.     Their  cause 

"  Hath  the  primal,  eldest  curse  upon  it, 
A  brother's  murder." 


414  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  fDeo. 


CHAPTER     XXV. 

SCENES    IN    SAVANNAH. 

Ab  I  intended  to  spend  some  days  in  Savannah,  I  set  out  one 
afternoon  in  search  of  lodgings  more  commodious  than  thoso 
furnished  at  tlie  Pulaski  House,  and  I  was  directed  to  a  house 
owned  by  a  gentleman  who,  during  the  war,  had  resided  m 
Paris,  —  a  large  brick  mansion,  fronting  on  one  of  the  squares, 
elegantly  fuiished  and  furnished.  It  had  been  taken  care  of, 
through  tlie  war,  by  two  faithful  negroes,  Robert  and  his  wife 
Aunt  Nellie,  both  of  them  slaves. 

I  rang  the  bell,  and  was  ushered  into  the  basement  by  their 
daughter  Ellen,  also  a  slave.  Robert  was  fifty-three  years  of 
age,  —  a  tall,  stout,  coal-black,  slow-spoken,  reflective  man. 
Aunt  Nellie  was  a  year  or  two  younger.  Her  features  were 
of  the  African  type ;  her  eyes  large  and  lustrous.  Her  de- 
portment was  lady-like,  her  language  refined.  She  woro  a 
gingham  dress,  and  a  white  turban. 

Ellen,  the  daughter,  had  a  fair  countenance,  regular  fea- 
tures, of  lighter  hue  than  either  father  or  mother.  She  ap- 
peared as  much  at  ease  as  most  young  ladies  who  are  accus- 
tomed to  the  amenities  of  society. 

Aunt  Nellie  called  me  by  name. 

"  I  saw  you  yesterday  at  church,'*  she  said. 

She  placed  a  chair  for  me  before  the  fire,  which  burned 
cheerfully  on  the  hearth.  There  was  a  vase  of  amaranths  on 
the  mantel,  and  lithographs  on  the  walls.  A  clock  ticked  m 
one  corner.  There  were  cushioned  arm-chairs.  The  room  was 
neat  and  tidy,  and  had  an  air  of  cheerfulness.  A  little  boy, 
four  or  five  years  old,  was  sitting  by  the  side  of  Aunt  Nellie, — 
her  grand-nephew.  He  looked  up  wonderingly  at  the  stranger, 
then  gazed  steadily  into  the  fire  with  comical  gravity. 

"You  arc  from  Boston,  I  understand,"  said  Aunt  Nellie. 
"  I  never  have  been  to  Boston,  but  I  have  been  to  New  York 
several  times  with  my  master." 


1864.J  SCENES  IN   SAVANNAH.  415 

"  Did  you  have  any  desire  to  stay  North  ? " 

"  No,  sir,  I  can't  say  that  I  had.  This  was  my  home ;  my 
children  and  friends,  and  my  husband  were  all  here." 

"  But  did  you  not  wish  to  be  free  ?  " 

"  That  is  a  very  different  thing,  sir.  God  only  knows  how  I 
longed  to  be  free ;  but  my  master  was  very  kind.  They  used 
to  tell  me  in  New  York  tliat  I  could  be  free ;  but  I  could  n't 
make  up  my  mind  to  leave  master,  and  my  husband.  Perhaps 
if  I  liad  been  abused  as  some  of  my  people  have,  I  should  have 
thought  differently  about  it.'' 

"  Well,  you  are  free  now.  I  suppose  that  you  never  expected 
to  see  such  a  day  as  this !  " 

"  I  can't  say  that  I  expected  to  see  it,  but  I  knew  it  would 
come.  I  have  prayed  for  it.  I  did  n't  hardly  think  it  would 
come  in  my  time,  but  I  knew  it  must  come,  for  God  is  just." 

"  Did  you  not  sometimes  despair  ?  " 

"  Never !  sir ;  never !  But  0,  it  has  been  a  terrible  mystery, 
to  know  why  the  good  Lord  should  so  long  afflict  my  people, 
and  keep  them  in  bondage, — to  be  abused,  and  trampled  down, 
without  any  rights  of  their  own,  —  with  no  ray  of  light  in  the 
future.  Some  of  my  folks  said  there  was  n't  any  God,  for  if 
there  was  he  would  n't  let  white  folks  do  as  they  have  done  for 
so  many  years ;  but  I  told  them  to  wait,  —  and  now  they  see 
what  tliey  have  got  oy  waiting.  I  told  them  that  we  were  all 
of  one  blood,  —  white  folks  and  black  folks  all  come  from  one 
man  and  one  woman,  and  that  there  was  only  one  Jesus  for 
all.  I  knew  it,  —  I  knew  it !  "  She  spoke  as  if  it  were  an  in- 
disputable fact  which  had  come  by  intuition. 

Here  Aunt  Nellie's  sister  and  her  husband  came  in. 

"  I  hope  to  make  your  better  acquaintance,"  she  said,  coui> 
tesying.  It  is  a  common  form  of  expression  among  the  colored 
people  of  some  parts  of  the  South.  She  was  larger,  taller, 
and  stouter  than  Aunt  Nellie,  younger  in  years,  less  refuied,  — 
a  field  hand,  —  one  who  had  drunk  deeply  of  the  terrible  cup 
which  slavery  had  held  to  her  lips.  She  wore  a  long  gray  dress 
of  coarse  cloth,  —  a  frock  with  sleeves,  gathered  round  the 
neck  with  a  string,  —  the  cheapest  possible  contrivance  foi  a 
dress,  her  only  garment,  I  judged. 

"  These  are  new  times  to  you,"  I  said. 


416  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Deo. 

*^  It  is  a  dream,  sir,  —  a  dream !  'Pears  like  1  don't  know 
where  I  am.  When  General  Sherman  come  and  said  wo  were 
free,  I  did  n't  believe  it,  and  I  would  n't  believe  it  till  the  min- 
ister (Rev.  Mr.  French)  told  us  that  we  were  free.  It  don't 
seem  as  if  I  was  free,  sir."  She  looked  into  the  fire  a  moment, 
and  sat  as  if  in  a  dream,  but  roused  herself  as  I  said,  — 

"  Yes,  you  are  free." 

"But  that  don't  give  me  back  my  children,  —  my  children, 
that  I  brought  forth  with  pains  such  as  white  women  have,  — 
that  have  been  torn  from  my  breast,  and  sold  from  me ;  and 
when  I  cried  for  them  was  tied  up  and  had  my  back  cut  to 
pieces ! " 

She  stopped  talking  to  me,  raised  her  eyes  as  if  looking 
into  heaven,  —  reached  up  her  hands  imploringly,  and  cried 
in  agony,  — 

"  0  Lord  Jesus,  have  mercy  !  How  long,  0  Lord  ?  Come, 
Jesus,  and  help  me.  'Pears  like  I  can't  bear  it,  dear  Lord. 
They  is  all  taken  from  me,  Lord.  'Pears  like  as  if  my  heart 
would  break.  0  blessed  Jesus,  they  say  that  I  am  free,  but 
where  are  my  children !  —  my  children  !  —  my  children  !  " 

Her  hands  fell,  —  tears  rolled  down  her  checks.  She  bowed 
her  head,  and  sat  moaning,  wailing,  and  sobbing. 

"  You  would  n't  believe  me,"  said  Aunt  Nellie,  speaking  to 
her.  "  You  said  that  there  was  no  use  in  praying  for  deliv- 
erance ;  that  it  was  no  use  to  trust  God,  —  that  he  had  for- 
gotten us ! " 

She  rose  and  approached  her  sister,  evidently  to  call  her 
mind  from  the  terrible  reality  of  the  past.  "  You  used  to 
come  in  here  and  go  worry,  worry,  worry  all  day  and  all 
night,  and  say  it  was  no  use  ;  that  you  might  as  well  die ;  that 
you  would  be  a  great  deal  better  off  if  you  were  dead.  You 
would  n't  believe  me  when  I  said  that  the  Lord  would  give  de- 
liverance. You  would  n't  believe  that  the  Lord  was  good  ;  but 
just  see  what  he  has  done  for  you,  —  made  you  free.  Are  n't 
you  willing  to  trust  him  now  ? " 

The  sister  made  no  reply,  but  sat  wiping  away  her  tears,  and 
sighing  over  the  fate  of  her  children. 

"  Did  you  not  feel  sometimes  like  rising  against  your  mas- 
ters ?  "  I  asked  of  the  husband. 


1864.]  SCENES  IN  SAVANNAH.  411 

"  Well,  sir,  I  did  feel  hard  sometimes,  and  I  reckon  that  if  it 
had  n't  been  for  the  grace  which  Jesus  gave  us  we  should  have 
done  so ;  but  he  had  compassion  on  us,  and  helped  us  to  bear 
it.     We  knew  that  he  would  hear  us  some  time." 

"  Did  you  ever  try  to  escape  ? " 

"  No,  sir.  I  was  once  interested  in  colonization,  and  talkea 
of  going  to  Africa,  —  of  buying  myself,  and  go  there  and  be 
free.  Rev.  Mr.  Gurlcy  came  hero  and  gave  a  lecture.  He 
was  the  agent  of  the  Colonization  Society,  I  reckon ;  but  just 
then  there  was  so  much  excitement  among  the  slaves  about  it, 
that  our  masters  put  a  stop  to  it." 

"  The  good  people  of  Boston  are  heaping  coals  of  fire  on  tho 
heads  of  the  slaveholders  and  Rebels,"  said  Aunt  Nellie. 

"  How  so  ? "  I  asked. 

"  Why,  as  soon  as  General  Slierman  took  possession  of  the 
city,  you  send  down  ship-loads  of  provisions  to  them.  They 
have  fought  you  with  all  their  might,  and  you  whip  them,  and 
then  go  to  feeding  them." 

"  I  *spect  you  intended  that  black  and  white  folks  should 
have  them  alike,"  said  her  sister. 

"Yes,  that  was  the  intention." 

"  Not  a  mouthful  have  I  had.  I  am  as  poor  as  white  folks. 
All  my  life  I  have  worked  for  them.  I  have  given  them  houses 
and  lands ;  they  have  rode  in  their  fine  carriages,  sat  in  their 
nice  parlors,  taken  voyages  over  the  waters,  and  had  money 
enough,  which  I  and  my  people  earned  for  them.  I  have  had 
my  back  cut  up.  I  have  been  sent  to  jail  because  I  cried  for 
my  children,  which  were  stolen  from  me.  I  have  been  stripped 
of  my  clothing,  exposed  before  men.  My  daughters  have  been 
compelled  to  break  God's  commandment,  —  they  could  n't  help 
themselves,  —  I  couldn't  help  them;  white  men  have  done 
with  us  just  as  they  pleased.  Now  they  turn  me  out  of  my  poor 
old  cabin,  and  say  they  own  it.     0  dear  Jesus,  help  me  ! " 

"  Come,  come,  sister,  don't  take  on ;  but  you  just  give  thanks 
for  what  the  Lord  has  done  for  you,"  said  Aunt  Nellie. 

Her  sister  rose,  stately  as  a  queen,  and  said,  — 

"  I  thank  you,  sir,  for  your  kind  words  to  me  to-night.  I 
thank  all  the  good  people  in  the  North  for  what  they  have  done 
for  me  and  my  people.     The  good  Lord  be  with  you." 

27 


*18  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  [DeC. 

As  she  and  her  husband  left  the  room,  Aunt  Nellie  said, — 
"  Poor  girl !  she  can't  forget  her  children.     She  's  cried  for 
them  day  and  night." 

Never  till  then  had  I  felt  the  full  force  of  Whittier's  burning 
lines :  — 

"  A  groan  fi-om  Eutaw's  haunted  wood,  — 
A  wail  Avlierc  Camden's  mart}TS  fell,  — 
By  every  shrine  of  patriot  blood. 
From  Moultrie's  wall  and  Jasper's  well  I 

"  By  storied  hill  and  li allowed  grot, 
By  mossy  wood  and  marshy  glen, 
Whence  rang  of  old  the  rifle-shot, 
And  hurrying  shout  of  IMarion's  men. 
The  groan  of  breaking  hearts  is  there,  —  ^ 

The  falling  lash,  the  fetter's  clank  1 
Slaves,  SLAVES  are  breathing  in  that  air 
Which  old  De  Kalb  and  Sumter  drank  I 

"  "What,  ho !  our  countrymen  in  chains  I 
The  whip  on  woman's  shrinking  flesh  ! 
Our  soil  yet  reddening  with  the  stains 
Caught  from  her  scourging,  warm  and  fresh  1 
What  1  mothers  from  their  children  riven ! 
What !  God's  own  image  bought  and  sold  I 
Americans  to  market  driven, 
And  bartered,  as  the  brute,  for  gold ! " 

The  night  of  the  28th  of  January  was  a  fearful  one  in  Savan- 
nah. The  inhabitants  experienced  all  the  terror  of  a  bombard- 
ment combined  with  the  horror  of  a  great  conflagration.  A  fire 
broke  out  a  little  before  midnight  in  a  long  row  of  wooden  build- 
mgs  at  the  west  end  of  the  city.  The  wind  was  fresh  from  the 
northwest,  and  the  night  exceedingly  cold.  My  rooms  were  in 
the  Pulaski  House.  I  was  awakened  by  a  sudden  explosion, 
which  jarred  the  house,  and  heard  the  cry  that  the  arsenal  was 
on  fire. 

There  was  another  explosion,  —  tlien  a  volley  of  shells,  and 
large  fragments  came  whirring  through  the  air,  striking  the 
walls,  or  falling  with  a  heavy  plunge  into  the  street. 

"There  are  three  thousand  shells  in  the  building,"  said  a 
soldier  running  past,  fleeing  as  if  for  his  life. 

"  There  are  fifty  tons  of  powder,  which  will  go  off  presently," 
said  another,  in  breathless  haste.    Fifty  tons  of  powder !    Savan- 


1864.]  SCENES  IN  SAVANNAH  419 

nah  would  be  racked  to  its  foundations !  There  would  be  a 
general  crumbling  of  walls.  Men,  women,  and  cliildren  wero 
running, — crying,  and  in  fear  of  being  cruslied  beneath  the 
ruins  of  falling  buildings. 

It  was  the  Rebel  arsenal.  I  could  not  believe  that  the  Rebels 
would  store  fifty  tons  of  powder  in  the  city,  and  waited  for  the 
general  explosion.  It  did  not  come.  Gradually  I  worked  my 
way,  under  the  shelter  of  buildings,  towards  the  fire.  The  fire- 
engines  were  deserted,  and  the  fire  was  having  its  own  way, 
licking  up  the  buildings,  one  after  another,  remorselessly. 

It  was  a  gorgeous  sight,  —  the  flames  leaping  high  in  air, 
thrown  up  in  columns  by  the  thiitecn-inch  shells,  filling  the  air 
with  burning  timbers,  cinders,  and  myriads  of  sparks.  The 
streets  were  filled  with  fugitives.  The  hospitals  were  being 
cleared  of  sick  and  wounded,  the  houses  of  furniture. 

It  was  grand,  but  terrible.  General  Grover  at  once  took 
measures  to  arrest  the  progress  of  the  flames,  by  tearing  down 
buildings,  and  bringing  up  several  regiments,  which,  with  the 
citizens  and  negroes,  succeeded  in  mastering  the  destroying 
element. 

In  the  morning  there  was  a  wilderness  of  chimneys,  and  the 
streets  were  strewn  with  furniture. 

It  was  amusing  to  see  with  what  good  humor  and  nonchalance 
the  colored  people  and  the  soldiers  regarded  the  conflagration. 

Two  negro  women  passed  me,  carrying  great  bundles  on 
their  heads. 

"  I 's  clean  burned  out,"  said  one. 

"  So  is  I "  ;  and  they  both  laughed  as  if  it  was  very  funny. 

"  Let  'em  burn  :  who  cares  ?  "  said  one  soldier.  "  They 
have  fought  us,  and  now  let  'em  suficr." 

"  We  have  got  to  do  guard  duty,  and  it  is  a  little  more  com- 
fortable to  be  quartered  in  a  house  than  to  sleep  in  a  shelter- 
tent,  so  let  us  save  the  place,"  said  another ;  and  the  two  went 
to  work  with  a  will  to  subdue  the  flames. 

General  Sherman's  Special  Field  Order  No.  15,  dated  Janu- 
ary 16, 1865,  permitted  the  freedmen  to  take  possession  of  the 
abandoned  lands.  A  meeting  —  called  by  General  Saxton, 
who  had  been  appointed  Inspector — was  held  in  the  Second 


*20  THE   BOYS   OF   'CI.  [DeC. 

African  Baptist  Church,  a  large  building,  which  was  crowded 
to  its  utmost  capacity  by  the  colored  people.  It  was  the  first 
meeting  ever  held  in  Savannah  liaving  in  view  the  exclusive 
Interests  of  the  colored  people. 

The  organist  was  playing  a  voluntary  when  I  entered  the 
church.  He  was  a  free  colored  man,  a  native  of  Charles- 
ton, having  a  bullet-shaped  head,  bright,  sparkling  eyes,  and 
a  pleasant  voice.  He  had  lived  in  Savannah  nine  years,  and  was 
a  music-teacher,  —  gi'^ing  instruction  on  the  violin,  piano-forte, 
and  organ,  also  vocal  music,  to  persons  of  his  own  race.  He 
was  in  the  habit  of  putting  in  clandestinely  some  of  the  rudi- 
ments of  the  English  language,  although  it  was  against  the 
peace  and  dignity  of  the  State.  He  dared  to  open  a  school, 
and  taught  in  secret  in  the  evening ;  but  a  policeman  discov- 
ered that  he  was  an  incendiary,  and  he  was  compelled  to  hide 
till  the  matter  was  forgotten. 

When  the  voluntary  was  completed,  the  choir  sung  Rev.  Mr. 
Smith's  American  hymn,  — 

"  My  country,  *t  is  of  thee, 
Sweet  land  of  liberty, 
Of  thee  I  sing." 

Their  country !  Their  liberty !  The  words  were  no  longer 
meaningless. 

By  request  of  General  Saxton,  they  also  sang  Bishop  He- 
ber's  Missionary  hymn,  — 

"  From  Greenland's  icy  mountains, 

From  Lidia's  coral  strand, 
Where  Afric's  sunny  fountains 

Roll  down  their  golden  sand, 
From  many  an  ancient  river, 

From  many  a  palmy  plain, 
They  call  us  to  deliver 

Their  land  from  error's  chain." 

General  Saxton  addressed  them. 

"  I  have  come  to  tell  you  what  the  President  of  the  United 
States  has  done  for  you,"  said  he. 

"  God  bless  Massa  Linkum ! "  was  the  response  of  a  thou- 
sand voices. 

"  You  are  all  free." 

"  Glory  to  God  !  Hallelujah !  Amen !  "  they  shouted  in 
tumultuous  chorus. 


1864.]  SCENES  IN   SAVANNAH.  421 

He  explained  the  cause  of  the  war:  how  the  Rebels  fired 
upon  the  flag,  how  thej  hated  freedom,  and  wished  to  per- 
petuate slavery,  which  produced  the  war,  that,  in  turn,  under 
God's  providence,  had  made  them  free  men.  They  were  free, 
but  they  must  labor  to  live.  Their  relations  to  their  masters 
had  all  been  changed.  They  could  go  where  they  pleased,  do 
what  they  pleased,  provided  they  did  that  which  was  right ;  but 
they  had  no  claim  upon  their  masters,  —  they  must  work  for 
themselves.  All  wealth  came  from  the  soil,  and  by  cultivating 
the  ground  they  could  obtain  food,  and  thus  increase  their 
wealth.  He  read  and  explained  General  Sherman's  order,  and 
told  them  of  the  advancement  which  the  frcedmen  had  made 
at  Beaufort.  They  had  comfortable  homes,  their  children  were 
attending  school,  and  the  men  and  women  had  almost  forgot- 
ten that  they  had  been  slaves.  One  man  had  accumulated 
ten  thousand  dollars  in  four  years  ;  another  was  worth  five 
thousand.  He  advised  them  to  go  upon  the  islands  and  take 
possession  of  the  abandoned  lands.  He  also  advised  the  young 
and  able-bodied  to  enlist  in  the  ser^dce  of  the  United  States. 
They  were  citizens,  and  they  must  begin  to  do  their  part  as 
citizens.  They  were  free,  but  there  was  still  some  fighting  to 
be  done  to  secure  their  liberty. 

Rev.  Mr.  French  also  addressed  them. 

"  Your  freedom,"  said  he,  "  is  the  gift  of  God.  The  Pres- 
ident has  proclaimed  it,  and  the  brave  men  of  General  Sher- 
man's army  have  brought  it  to  you." 

"  God  bless  General  Sherman  !  Amen  !  That 's  so !  "  were 
the  enthusiastic  responses.  They  clapped  their  hands  and 
gave  expression  to  their  joy  in  emphatic  demonstrations.  It 
was  a  strange  sight,  —  a  sea  of  turbancd  heads  in  the  body  of 
the  house,  occupied  by  the  women,  wearing  brightest  colored 
handkerchiefs,  or  bonnets  with  flaming  ribbons  ;  while  above,  in 
the  galleries,  were  two  sable  clouds  of  faces.  Every  window 
was  filled  by  a  joyous,  enthusiastic  crowd. 

"  You  are  to  show  your  late  masters  that  you  can  take  care 
of  yourselves.  If  I  were  in  your  place  I  would  go,  if  I  had  to 
live  on  roots  and  water,  and  take  possession  of  the  islands," 
said  Mr.  French. 

"  Yes,  sir,  dat  is  what  we  will  do.     We  're  gwine." 


425J  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec 

"  Show  your  old  masters  that  you  can  work  as  hard  to  keep 
out  of  slavery  as  they  did  to  keep  you  in  bondage.  And  you 
must  have  but  one  wife,  instead  of  two  or  three,  as  you  used 
to  do." 

There  was  a  great  sensation  at  this  point,  —  an  outburst  of 
laughter  echoing  and  re-echoing  from  floor  to  ceiling.  I  was 
utterly  unable  to  understand  how  the  remark  was  received,  but 
the  sable  audience  evidently  looked  upon  it  as  a  very  funny 
affair.  The  negro  race  has  a  quick  and  natural  appreciation 
of  anything  bordering  upon  the  ridiculous.  They  boil  over 
with  uncontrollable  merriment  at  a  very  small  matter. 

"  Treat  your  old  masters  with  all  respect ;  be  generous  and 
kind  to  them.  This  is  your  day  of  rejoicing,  and  they  are 
drinking  their  cup  of  sorrow.  Do  them  good,  —  help  them. 
Break  off  bad  habits,  —  be  good  citizens,  truthful  and  honest. 
Now,  all  of  you  who  are  ready  to  scratch  for  a  living,  —  who 
are  resolved  to  make  your  own  way  in  the  world,  —  hold  up 
your  hands." 

Up  went  a  thousand  hands. 

"  You  owe  your  liberty  to  the  men  of  the  North,  to  Presi- 
dent Lincoln,  to  the  thousands  who  have  died,  —  to  Jesus 
Christ." 

Deep  and  solemn  was  the  Amen,  —  a  spontaneous  outburst 
of  gratitude,  welling  up  from  their  sympathetic  and  affectionate 
natures. 

A  prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Mr.  Houston,  of  the  Third 
African  Baptist  Church.  It  was  impassioned,  fervent,  and 
earnest,  in  which  there  were  thanksgiving,  confession  of  sin, 
and  a  pleading  for  God's  help.  The  President,  the  Union 
army,  the  Federal  government,  were  remembered.  He  prayed 
also  that  God  would  bring  the  Rebels  to  see  that  they  ought  to 
lay  down  their  arms  and  be  at  peace. 

Then  in  conclusion  they  sang  the  hymn,  — 
"  Eternal  are  thy  mercies,  Lord, 
Eternal  truth  attends  thy  word.** 

How  gloriously  the  grand  old  choral  of  Luther  rang !  Old 
men  sang,  —  tottering  upon  the  verge  of  the  grave,  their  heads 
white,  their  voices  tremulous,  their  sight  dim;  women  with 
Bcarroi  backs  sang,  —  who  had  toiled  unrequited  in  the  mala- 


1864.]  SCENES  IN  SAVANNAa  423 

rious  rice-swamps,  who  had  prayed  in  dungeons  and  prisons, 
who  had  wept  and  moaned  for  their  stolen  babes,  —  four  their 
husbands,  mangled  and  torn  by  bloodhounds.  But  that  was 
all  of  the  past.  The  day  of  jubilee  had  dawned.  They  had 
cried  day  and  night,  "0  Lord,  how  long ! "  But  now  they 
had  only  thanksgiving  and  praise. 

After  the  meeting  there  was  a  general  shaking  of  ^ands. 
**  Bless  de  Lord  for  dis  yere  day."  "  May  de  good  Lord  be 
wid  you."  "I  never  'spectcd  to  see  dis  yere  day;  but  de 
praise  belongs  to  de  good  Lord ;  he  be  wid  you,  bruddcr." 

Such  were  the  congratulations.  There  were  none  of  the 
white  people  of  Savannah  present.  Before  the  men  of  the 
West  entered  the  city,  such  a  gathering,  even  for  religious 
worship,  would  have  been  incendiary  unless  attended  by  white 
men.  But  it  was  an  inauguration  of  a  new  era,  —  a  beginning 
of  the  settlement  of  the  question  over  which  philanthropists, 
politicians,  and  statesmen  had  puzzled  their  philosophic  brains : 
'*  What  shall  we  do  with  them  ?  " 

Rev.  Mr.  Houston  accompanied  me  to  my  room,  and  gave  me 
a  history  of  his  life.  He  was  forty-one  years  old,  had  always 
been  a  slave,  and  received  his  freedom  at  the  hands  of  General 
Sherman.  When  a  boy  his  master  hired  him  out  to  the  Marine 
Hospital.  Waiting  upon  the  sailors,  he  had  an  opportunity  to 
hear  a  great  deal  about  the  world.  They  had  books  and  papers. 
He  had  a  desire  to  learn  to  read,  and  they,  not  having  the  black 
laws  of  Georgia  before  their  eyes,  taught  him  his  letters.  Then 
obtaining  a  Bible,  and  other  books,  he  read  with  great  zeal. 
He  wanted  to  be  a  preacher,  and  after  examination  by  the  Bap- 
tist Association,  was  ordained  to  preach  by  white  men.  He 
purchased  his  time  before  the  war,  paying  fifty  dollars  a  month 
to  his  master,  and  became  a  provision-dealer,  yet  preaching  on 
Sundays.  He  leased  the  lower  story  of  a  building  fronting  the 
market,  where  he  sold  his  meat  and  where  he  lived.  Above 
him,  up  two  flights,  was  the  slave-mart  of  Savannah.  He  used 
to  go  into  the  country,  up  the  railroad  to  the  centre  of  the 
State,  to  purchase  cattle,  and  became  well  acquainted  with  the 
planters.  He  heard  their  discussions  on  current  affairs,  and 
thus  received  information  upon  the  politics  of  the  country.  Ho 
gave  an  account  of  the  state  of  affairs,  of  opinions  held  in  the 


424  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [Dcc. 

North  and  in  the  Soutli  at  the  time  wlien  Fremont  was  a  can- 
didate for  the  Presidency. 

"  Wc  knew  that  he  was  our  friend,*'  said  Mr.  Houston,  "  and 
we  wanted  liim  elected.  We  were  very  much  disappointed  at 
the  result  of  that  election ;  hut  we  kept  hoping  and  praying 
that  God  would  have  mercy  on  us  as  a  race." 

"  Did  your  people  luidcrstand  the  points  at  issue  hetween  the 
Soutli  and  tlie  Nortli,  when  the  war  begun  ?"  I  asked. 

*'Yes,  sir,  I  think  we  did.  When  South  Carolina  fired  on 
Sumter  we  understood  that  the  North  was  figliting  for  the 
Union.  Tlie  flag  had  been  insulted,  and  we  thought  that  you 
of  the  North  would  have  spunk  enough  to  resent  the  insult. 
Those  of  us  who  could  read  the  papers  knew  that  the  pouits 
at  issue  really  were  between  Freedom  and  Slavery." 

"  What  did  you  think  when  we  were  defeated  at  Manassas  ? 
Did  you  not  despair  ?  " 

"  No,  sir.  I  knew  that  the  North  would  not  give  in  for  one 
defeat.  Some  of  our  people  were  down-hearted,  but  I  had 
faith  in  God,  sir.  I  felt  that  the  war  must  go  on  till  we  were 
made  free.  Besides,  we  prayed,  sir!  There  have  been  a  great 
many  prayers,  sir,  offered  up  from  broken-hearted  men  and 
women, —  from  negro  cabins,  not  in  public,  —  for  the  success 
of  the  North.  They  could  not  offer  such  supplications  at 
church ;  they  were  offered  to  a  God  who  sees  in  secret,  but 
who  rewards  openly.  We  are  receiving  all  we  ever  asked  for. 
Bless  his  holy  name." 

"  You  have  seen  people  sold  in  the  market,  I  suppose  ?  " 

"  0  yes,  sir,  tliousands  of  them.  0,  sir,  it  seems  as  if  T  now 
could  hear  the  groans  and  cries  of  mothers  and  fathers  as  they 
marched  down  those  stairs  out  into  the  street  in  gangs,  —  their 
chains  rattling  and  clanking  on  the  stairs.  It  was  hell,  sir ! 
The  wailings  of  the  damned  can  never  be  more  heart-rending, 
as  they  were  driven  out,  crying,  '  0  Lord  !  have  mercy !  0 
massa,  don't!  don't!     0  my  poor  children!' " 

His  eyes  shone  with  a  strange  light.  The  muscles  of  his 
hands  tightened.  lie  arose  and  walked  the  room,  wiped  the 
tears  from  his  eyes,  but  composing  himself  sat  down,  and  said; 
"  Iniquity  was  at  its  height  when  the  war  began,  and  it  con- 
tinued till  General  Sherman  came.     0,  it  was  terrible !  tcrri- 


1864.]  SCENES  IN  SAVANNAH.  426 

ble !  to  be  there  in  that  room  on  the  lower  floor,  and  see  the 
hundreds  taken  out,  —  to  see  them  nabbed  in  the  streets,  or 
taken  from  their  beds  at  dead  of  night  by  the  sheriff,  and  sold 
at  once ;  for  since  the  war  began  white  men  have  heen  obligecJ 
often  to  raise  money  suddenly,  and  slave  property  being  cspo- 
cially  insecure,  we  were  liable  to  be  sold  at  any  moment.  Run- 
away slaves  were  whipped  unmercifully.  Last  summer  I  saw 
one  receive  five  hundred  lashes  out  on  the  Gulf  Railroad,  bo- 
cause  he  could  n't  give  an  account  of  himself.  The  man  who 
kept  the  slave-market  left  the  city  with  a  large  number  of  slaves 
just  before  Sherman  came,  taking  them  South ;  but  he  is  back 
in  tlic  city.     He  is  a  bitter  old  Rebel." 

Mr.  Houston  and  a  party  of  frcedmcn  had  been  to  Skidaway 
Island  to  take  possession  of  lands  under  General  Sherman^s 
order,  and  commence  a  colony. 

They  laid  out  a  village,  also  farm  lots  of  forty  acres,  set  aside 
one  central  lot  for  a  church,  another  for  a  school-house ;  then 
placing  numbers  hi  a  hat,  made  the  allotment.  It  was  Plymouth 
Colony  repeating  itself.  They  agreed  tliat  if  any  others  came 
to  johi  them  they  should  have  equal  privileges.  So  tlie  May- 
flower was  blooming  on  tlie  islands  of  the  South  Atlantic ! 

"  We  shall  build  our  cabins  and  organize  our  town  govern- 
ment for  the  maintenance  of  order,"  said  Mr.  Ilouston. 

"  I  told  you  that  I  hired  my  time  of  my  master,"  said  he. 
'*  My  master  hired  my  money,  and  when  I  asked  him  for  it  he 
refused  to  pay  me ;  and  as  I  had  no  power  before  the  law,  I 
could  not  compel  him,  and  have  lost  it.  I  have  about  five 
hundred  hides,  which  I  would  like  to  send  North.  I  want  to 
purchase  a  portable  saw-mill.  We  shall  need  lumber,  —  must 
have  it  to  build  our  houses  and  our  church." 

Such  was  his  plan, — indicating  a  foresight  which  gave  prom- 
ise of  a  prosperous  future. 

Passing  by  a  church,  I  saw  the  sexton,  with  brush  in  hand, 
sweeping  the  aisles.  Tiie  edifice  was  a  substantial,  ancient  struc- 
ture, with  a  mahogany  pulpit  of  the  old  style,  a  broad  aisle, 
chandelier  pendent  from  the  arched  roof,  filagree  and  panel- 
work  around  the  galleries.  Old  and  aristocratic  families  had 
sat  in  the  cushioned  pews,  —  men  of  vast  wealth,  owning 


426  THE  BOYS   OF   '61.  [Dcc. 

houses,  lands,  and  slaves.  A  great  organ  loomed  high  up 
in  the  gallery,  its  gilt  pipes  fronting  the  pulpit.  Marriages 
and  funerals  had  been  solemnized  at  the  altar.  For  fifteen 
years,  Sunday  after  Sunday,  this  sexton  had  faithfully  dis- 
charged his  duties  at  the  church. 

He  was  stout,  thick-set,  strong,  with  well-developed  muscles 
and  a  clear  eye.  He  was  gentlemanly  in  his  deportment,  and 
his  voice  was  one  of  the  most  musical  I  ever  heard. 

"  Shall  I  take  a  look  at  the  church  ? " 

"  Certainly,  sir.     Walk  in." 

His  words  were  as  if  he  had  chanted  them,  so  faultless  the 
tone,  inflection,  and  cadence.  His  features  were  well  formed, 
but  anthracite  coal  is  not  blacker  than  his  complexion.  I  was 
interested  in  him  at  once.  He  leaning  upon  his  broom,  and 
sitting  in  one  of  the  pews,  had  a  free  conversation  upon  the 
events  of  his  life. 

He  was  born  in  Norfolk,  Virginia,  in  1829. 

"  My  old  master  died,"  said  he,  "  and  I  fell  to  his  son,  who 
went  off  to  college  and  got  to  sprceing  it,  lost  all  his  property, 
and  of  course  I  had  to  be  sold.  I  brought  twelve  hundred  dol- 
lars, —  that  was  in  1849,  —  but  another  man  offered  the  man 
who  bought  me  a  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  bonus  for  his  bar- 
gain, which  was  accepted,  and  I  was  brought  to  Charleston. 
I  have  always  been  a  slave." 

"  But  you  are  a  free  man  now ;  just  as  free  as  I  am." 

"  Yes,  sir,  so  General  Sherman  told  me.  I  had  a  talk  with 
him ;  and  he  talked  just  as  free  with  me  as  if  I  was  his  own 
brother.  But  I  don't  feel  it  in  my  heart,  sir,  to  go  away  and 
leave  my  old  master,  now  that  he  is  poor,  and  calamity  has 
come  upon  him." 

"  Has  he  always  treated  you  well  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  —  that  is,  he  never  scarred  my  back.  Some  mas- 
ters are  mighty  hard,  sir.  I  don't  blame  some  negroes  for 
running  away  from  their  masters  now  that  they  can,  for  they 
have  been  treated  mighty  bad,  sir;  but  my  master  has  had 
great  calamity  come  upon  him,  sir.  When  I  was  brought  hero 
from  Norfolk,  master's  son  Bob,  who  is  in  Texas,  —  a  captain  in 
the  Southern  army  now,  —  saw  me,  and  liked  me,  and  I  liked 
him,  and  his  father  bought  me  for  Bob,  and  Bob  and  I  have 


1864.]  SCENES  IN  SAVANNAH.  427 

been  like  brothers  to  each  other.  I  have  no  complaint  to  make. 
But  master  has  lost  two  sons  in  Virginia.  One  of  them  was 
killed  in  the  first  battle  of  Manassas." 

"I  suppose  you  have  heard  many  prayers  here  for  Jeff 
Davis?" 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  mighty  fine  sermons  for  the  Southern  army, 
sir;  and  there  have  been  solemn  scenes  in  this  church,  sir. 
Six  bodies,  one  Sunday,  after  tlie  first  battle  of  Manassas,  were 
hero  in  this  broad  aisle.  I  had  the  communion-table  set  out 
here,  right  in  front  of  the  pulpit,  and  there  they  lay,  —  six  of 
'em.  I  could  n't  help  crying  when  I  saw  'em,  for  tlicy  were 
just  like  old  friends  to  me.  They  used  to  attend  the  Sunday 
school  when  they  were  boys,  and  used  to  cut  up  a  little  wild, 
and  it  was  my  business  to  keep  'em  straight.  They  belonged 
to  the  Oglethorpe  Light  Infantry,  and  went  with  Colonel  Bar- 
tow. They  went  away  gayly,  and  thought  they  were  going  to 
Richmond  to  have  a  nice  time.  Their  mothers  and  sisters  told 
them  to  go  and  fight  the  Yankees.  They  did  n't  expect  to  see 
tliem  brought  back  dead,  I  reckon.     It  was  a  sad  day,  sir." 

"  Tlien  the  women  were  as  eager  as  the  men  for  the  war  ? " 

**  Yes,  sir,  —  more.  They  were  crazy  about  fighting  the 
Yankees.  I  know  that  some  of  the  boys  did  n't  want  to  fight 
against  the  flag,  but  the  women  made  'em.  The  men  had 
to  wear  Secession  badges,  as  something  to  show  that  they 
were  for  the  South.  If  it  had  n't  been  for  the  ladies,  I  reckon 
we  would  n't  have  had  the  war." 

"  What  do  the  women  think  now  ?  " 

"  Well,  sir,  some  of  them  are  as  bitter  as  ever  they  were 
against  the  Yankees,  but  I  reckon  they  don't  care  to  say  much ; 
and  then  there  are  others  who  see  it  ain't  no  use  to  try  to  hold 
out  any  longer.  There  are  lots  of  'em  who  have  lost  their 
husbands  and  brothers  and  sons.  I  reckon  there  are  very  few 
of  tlie  Light  Infantry  left.  I  know  'em  all,  for  I  took  care  of 
their  hall, —  their  armory,  —  and  tlicy  made  me  hoist  the  flag 
one  day  union  down.  That  made  me  feel  very  bad,  sir.  I 
always  loved  the  flag,  and  I  love  it  now  better  than  ever.  It 
makes  me  feel  bad  to  think  that  my  boys  fought  against  it  (ho 
meant  the  boys  who  attended  the  Sunday  school).  But  I 
reckon  it  is  the  Lord's  doing,  sir,  and  that  it  will  be  a  blessing 
to  \is  in  the  end." 


428  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec 

*'  Can  you  read  and  write  V*  I  asked. 

"  A  little,  sir.  I  never  had  any  one  to  show  me,  but  I  used 
to  sit  down  hero  in  the  pews  and  take  up  the  hymn-book,  and 
spell  out  the  words,  and  one  day  master  Bob  set  me  a  copy 
in  writing,  and  so  I  have  learned  a  little.  I  can  read  tlio 
newspapers,  sir,  and  have  kept  track  of  the  war." 

Upon  the  first  battle  of  Manassas,  the  Peninsular  campaigns, 
the  blowing  up  of  the  Merrimac,  the  battles  of  Antietam,  Gettys- 
burg, Yicksburg,  New  Orleans,  and  Sherman's  campaign,  ho 
was  well  informed.  He  had  a  brother  who  was  fighting  for  tho 
Union. 

"  He  is  a  brave  fellow,  and  I  know  he  won't  show  the  whito 
feather,''  said  he. 

We  talked  upon  the  prospects  of  the  colored  people  now  that 
they  were  free. 

"  I  reckon,  sir,"  said  he,  "  that  a  good  many  of  'em  will  be 
disappointed.  They  don't  know  what  freedom  is.  But  they 
will  find  that  they  have  got  to  work,  or  else  they  won't  get  any- 
thing to  eat.  They  are  poor,  ignorant  creatures ;  but  I  reckon, 
sir,  that  after  a  while,  when  things  get  settled,  tlicy  will  learn 
how  to  take  care  of  themselves.  But  I  think  they  are  mighty 
foolish  to  clear  out  and  leave  their  old  masters,  when  they  can 
have  good  situations,  and  good  pay,  and  little  to  do.  Then, 
sir,  it  is  kind  of  ungrateful  like,  to  go  away  and  leave  their  old 
masters  when  the  day  of  calamity  comes.  I  could  not  do  it, 
sir ;  besides,  I  reckon  I  will  be  better  off  to  stay  here  for  the 
present,  sir." 

I  informed  him  that  I  was  from  Massachusetts. 

"  I  know  something  about  Massachusetts,  and  I  reckon  it  is 
a  miglity  fine  State,  sir.  I  have  heard  you  abused,  and  the 
people  of  Boston  also.  Savannah  people  said  hard  things  about 
you:  that  you  were  abolitionists,  and  wanted  the  negroes  to 
liave  equal  privileges  with  the  white  men.  My  father,  when 
I  was  in  Norfolk,  undertook  to  get  to  Massachusetts,  but  ho 
was  hunted  down  in  the  swamps  and  sold  South,  away  down 
to  Alabama,  and  that  is  the  last  I  have  heard  of  him.  I  have 
always  liked  Massachusetts.  I  reckon  you  are  a  liberal  people 
up  there.  I  hear  you  have  sent  a  ship-load  of  provisions  to  us 
poor  people." 


1864.]  SCENES  IN   SAVANNAH.  429 

I  gave  him  information  upon  the  subject,  and  spoke  of  Mr 
Everett,  who  made  a  speech  at  the  meeting  in  Faneuil  ETall. 

"  ilr.  Everett !  I  reckon  I  heard  him  talk  about  General 
Washington  once  here,  five  or  six  years  ago.  Ho  was  a  mighty 
fine  speaker,  sir.     The  house  was  crowded." 

Tlie  sun  was  setting,  and  the  sexton  had  other  duties. 
As  I  left  the  church,  he  said :  "  Come  round,  sir,  some  after- 
noon, and  I  will  take  you  up  to  the  steeple,  so  that  you  can  get 
a  sight  of  the  city,  and  may  be  you  play  the  organ.  I  love  to 
hear  music,  sir." 

IIow  strangely  this  will  read  fifty  years  hence !  The  words 
ilave,  —  master,  —  sold,  —  hunted  down,  will  make  this  present 
time  seem  an  impossibility  to  those  who  live  after  us.  This 
sexton  —  a  slave  —  heard  the  minister  preach  of  the  loosing  of 
the  bonds  of  the  oppressed,  and  of  doing  unto  others  as  they 
would  be  done  by,  yet  he  found  in  his  own  experience  such  a 
Gospel  a  lie.  His  bonds  were  not  loosened ;  and  the  boys  of 
the  Sunday  school,  the  petted  sons  of  Savannah,  went  out  from 
their  aristocratic  homes  to  perpetuate  that  lie.  At  last  through 
war  came  deliverance ;  and  yet  there  was  so  much  gentleness  in 
the  heart  of  this  man,  that  in  the  day  of  calamity  which  came 
to  his  master,  when  his  sons  one  by  one  were  killed  in  their 
endeavors  to  sustain  that  lie ;  when  his  property  disappeared 
like  dew  before  the  morning  sun ;  when  his  pride  was  humili- 
ated ;  w^hen  his  daughters,  who  were  expectants  of  immense 
fortunes,  were  compelled  to  do  menial  service,  —  this  servant, 
though  a  free  man,  could  not  find  it  in  his  heart  to  leave  them, 
and  take  the  liberty  he  loved !  It  may  have  been  an  excep- 
tional case ;  but  it  shows  an  interesting  feature  of  Southern 
life.  The  words  of  this  sexton  of  Savannah  will  adorn  the 
historic  page.  "  I  reckon,  sir,  that  it  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and 
that  it  will  be  a  blessing  to  us  in  the  end." 

Society  in  the  South,  and  especially  in  Savannah,  had  under- 
gone a  great  change.  The  extremes  of  social  life  were  very 
wide  apart  before  the  war;  they  were  no  nearer  the  night 
before  Sherman  marched  into  the  city ;  but  the  morning  after 
there  was  a  convulsion,  an  upheaval,  a  shaking  up  and  a 
settling  down  of  all  the  discordant  elements.  The  tread  of 
that  army  of  the  West,  as  it  moved  in  solid  column  through 


130  THE  BOYS   OF  '6L  [Dec 

the  streets,  was  like  a  moral  earthquake,  overturning  aristocratic 
pride,  priWlcgc,  and  power. 

Old  houses,  with  foundations  laid  deep  and  strong  in  the  cen- 
turies, fortified  bj  wealth,  name,  and  influence,  went  down  be- 
neath the  shock.  The  general  disruption  of  the  former  rela- 
tions of  master  and  slave,  and  forced  submission  to  the  Union 
arms,  produced  a  common  level.  A  reversal  of  the  poles  of 
the  earth  would  hardly  have  produced  a  greater  physical  con- 
vulsion than  this  sudden  and  unexpected  change  in  the  social 
condition  of  the  people  of  the  city. 

On  the  night  before  Sherman  entered  the  place  tliere  were 
citizens  who  could  enumerate  their  wealth  by  millions  ;  at  sun- 
rise the  next  morning  they  vv^ore  wortli  searcely  a  dime.  Their 
property  had  been  in  cotton,  negroes,  houses,  land,  Confederate 
bonds  and  currency,  railroad  and  bank  stocks.  Government 
had  seized  their  cotton;  the  negroes  liad  possession  of  their 
lands ;  their  slaves  had  become  freemen ;  their  houses  were 
occupied  by  troops  ;  Confederate  bonds  were  waste  paper ;  their 
railroads  were  destroyed ;  their  banks  insolvent.  Tl^ey  had  not 
only  lost  wealth,  but  they  had  lost  their  cause-  A\  d  there 
were  some  who  were  willing  to  confess  that  they  haa  jcen 
fighting  for  a  system  of  iniquity. 

One  could  not  ask  for  more  courteous  treatment  than  I 
received  during  my  stay  in  Savannali.  I  am  indebted  to 
many  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  that  city  for  kind  invitations 
to  pass  an  evening  with  them.  Tliere  was  no  concealment 
of  opinion  on  either  side,  but  witli  the  utmost  good  feeling 
full  expression  was  given  to  our  differing  sentiments. 

"  We  went  into  the  war  in  good  faith  ;  we  thought  we  were 
right ;  we  confidently  expected  to  establish  our  independence  ; 
but  we  are  wliipped,  and  have  got  to  make  the  best  of  it,"  was 
tlie  frank  acknowledgment  of  several  gentlemen. 

"  I  hate  you  of  the  North,"  said  a  young  lady.  It  camo 
squarely,  and  the  tone  indicated  a  little  irritation. 

"  I  am  very  sorry  for  it.  I  can  hardly  think  that  you  really 
hate  us.     You  don't  hate  me  individually  ?  " 

"  0  no.  You  come  here  as  a  gentleman.  I  sliould  indeed 
be  rude  and  imladylike  to  say  that  I  hated  you ;  but  I  mean 
the  Yankees  in  general.  We  never  can  live  together  in  peace 
again.     For  one,  I  hope  to  leave  the  country." 


1864.]  SCENES  IN  SAVANNAH.  431 

"  K  I  were  to  reside  here,  you  of  course  would  treat  me 
courteously  so  long  as  I  was  a  gentleman  in  my  deportment  ?  '* 

"  Certainly ;  but  you  are  an  individual." 

"  But  if  two  individuals  can  live  peacefully,  why  not  ten,  — 
or  a  hundred,  —  a  thousand,  —  all  ?  " 

She  hesitated  a  moment ;  and  then,  with  flashing  eyes  and 
flushed  countenance,  which  added  charms  to  her  beauty,  said, 
"  Well,  it  is  hard  —  and  you  will  not  think  any  worse  of  mo 
for  Gayiug  it — to  have  your  friends  killed,  your  servants  all 
taken  away,  your  lands  confiscated ;  and  then  know  that  you 
have  failed,  —  that  you  have  been  whipped.  I  wish  that  we 
had  the  power  to  whip  you ;  but  we  have  n't,  and  must  make 
tlie  best  of  it.  What  we  are  to  do  I  don't  know.  We  have 
been  able  to  have  everything  that  money  could  buy,  and  now 
we  have  n't  a  dollar.  I  don't  care  anything  about  keeping  the 
negroes  in  slavery ;  but  there  is  one  feeling  which  we  Southern- 
ers have  that  you  cannot  enter  into.  My  old  mamma  who 
nursed  me  is  just  like  a  mother  to  me ;  but  there  is  one  thing 
that  I  never  will  submit  to,  —  that  the  negro  is  our  equal. 
He  belongs  to  an  inferior  race." 

She  laid  down  the  argument  in  the  palm  of  her  hand  with  a 
great  deal  of  emphasis. 

"  Your  energy,  boldness,  and  candor  are  admirable.  If  under 
defeat  and  disaster  you  sat  down  supinely  and  folded  your  hands, 
there  would  be  little  hope  of  your  rising  again ;  but  your  deter- 
mination to  make  the  best  of  it  shows  that  you  will  adapt  your- 
self readily  to  the  new  order  of  things.  There  never  will  be  com- 
plete equality  in  society.  Political  and  social  equality  are 
separate  and  distinct.  Rowdies  and  ragamuffins  have  natural 
rights :  they  may  have  a  right  to  vote,  they  may  be  citizens ; 
but  that  does  not  necessarily  entitle  them  to  free  entrance  into 
our  homes." 

The  idea  was  evidently  new  to  the  young  lady,  —  and  not 
only  to  her,  but  to  all  in  the  room.  To  them  tlie  abolition  of 
slavery  was  the  breaking  down  of  all  social  distinctions.  So 
long  as  the  negro  was  compelled  to  enter  the  parlor  as  a  ser- 
vant, they  could  endure  his  presence ;  but  freedom  implied  the 
possibility,  they  imagined,  of  his  entrance  as  an  equal,  entitled 
to  a  place  at  their  firesides  and  a  seat  at  their  tables.  The 
thought  was  intolerable. 


432  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec. 

Tlie  poor  whites  of  the  South  are  far  below  the  colored 
people  in  ability  and  force  of  character.  They  arc  a  class 
from  which  there  is  little  to  hope.  Notliing  rouses  their  am- 
bition. Like  the  Indians,  they  are  content  with  food  for  to- 
day; to-morrow  will  take  care  of  itself.  In  the  cities  they 
swarm  along  the  sides  of  buildings  on  sunny  days,  and  at 
night  crawl  into  their  miserable  cabins  with  little  more  aspira- 
tion than  dogs  that  seek  their  kennels.  Undoubtedly  there  is 
far  less  suffering  among  the  poor  of  the  Southern  cities  than 
among  the  poor  of  New  York,  where  life  is  ever  a  struggle 
with  want.  The  South  has  a  milder  climate,  nature  requires 
less  labor  for  production,  and  the  commercial  centres  are  not 
overcrowded.  The  poor  wliites  of  the  South  maintain  no  battle 
with  starvation,  but  surrender  resignedly  to  poverty.  Tliey 
can  exist  without  much  labor,  and  are  too  indolent  to  strive 
to  rise  to  a  higher  level  of  existence.  The  war  has  taken  their 
best  blood.     Only  shreds  and  dregs  remain. 

"  What  can  be  done  for  the  poor  whites  ?  " 

It  is  a  momentous  question  for  the  consideration  of  philan- 
thropists and  statesmen. 

They  are  very  ignorant.  Their  dialect  is  a  mixture  of 
English  and  African,  having  words  and  phrases  belonging  to 
neither  language;  though  the  patois  is  not  confined  to  this 
class,  but  is  sometimes  heard  in  sumptuously  furnished  parlors. 

*••  I  suppose  that  you  will  not  be  sorry  when  the  war  is  over," 
I  remarked  to  a  lady  in  Savannah. 

"  No,  sir.  I  reckon  the  Confederacy  is  done  gone  for,"  was 
the  reply. 

It  is  reported  that  a  North  Carolina  colonel  of  cavalry  was 
heard  to  address  his  command  thus,  —  "  'Tention,  battalion. 
Prepare  to  gen  orto  yer  critter.     Git !  " 

The  order  to  ride  rapidly  was,  "  Dust  right  smart !  " 

You  hear  young  ladies  say,  Paw,  for  Pa,  Maiv,  for  Ma,  and 
then,  curiously  adding  another  vowel  sound,  they  say  hear  for 
car,  iJiear  for  there. 

The  poor  whites  of  the  country  are  called  "  poor  white 
trash,"  "  crackers,"  "clay-eaters,"  "  sand-hillers,"  and  "  swamp 
angels,"  by  the  educated  whites.  There  is  no  homogeneity  of 
white  society.  The  planters,  as  a  rule,  have  quite  as  much 
respect  for  the  negroes  as  for  the  shiftless  wliites. 


1864  1  SCENES  IN  SAVANNAH.  433 

Yet  these  miserable  wretches  are  exceedingly  bitter  against 
the  North:  it  is  the  bitterness  of  ignorance,  —  brutal,  cruel, 
fiendish,  produced  by  caste,  by  the  spirit  of  slavery.  There  is 
more  hope,  therefore,  of  the  blacks,  in  the  future,  than  of  this 
degraded  class.  The  colored  people  believe  that  the  people  of 
the  North  arc  their  friends.  Freedom,  food,  schools,  all  were 
given  by  the  Yankees ;  hence  gratitude  and  confidence  on 
the  part  of  the  frccdmen ;  hence,  on  the  part  of  the  poor 
whites,  hatred  of  the  North  and  cruelty  toward  the  negro. 
Idleness,  not  occupation,  has  been,  and  is,  their  normal  con- 
dition. It  is  ingrained  in  their  nature  to  despise  work.  In- 
dolence is  a  virtue,  laziness  no  reproach.  Thus  slavery  arrayed 
society  against  every  law  of  God,  moral  and  physical. 

The  poor  whites  were  in  bondage  as  well  as  the  blacks,  and  to 
all  appearance  will  remain  so,  while  the  natural  buoyancy  of  the 
negro  makes  him  rise  readily  to  new  exigencies ;  with  freedom  he 
is  at  once  eager  to  obtain  knowledge  and  acquire  landed  estates. 

The  colored  people  who  had  taken  up  lands  on  the  islands 
under  General  Sherman's  order  met  for  consultation  in  the 
Slave  Market,  at  the  corner  of  St.  Julian  Street  and  Market 
Square.  I  passed  up  the  two  flights  of  stairs  down  which  thou- 
sands of  slaves  had  been  dragged,  chained  in  collie,  and  entered 
a  large  hall.  At  the  farther  end  was  an  elevated  platform  about 
eight  feet  square,  —  the  auctioneer 's  block.  The  windows  were 
grated  with  iron.  In  an  anteroom  at  the  right  women  had 
been  stripped  and  exposed  to  the  gaze  of  brutal  men.  A  col- 
ored man  was  praying  when  I  entered,  giving  thanks  to  God 
for  the  freedom  of  his  race,  and  asking  for  a  blessing  on  their 
undertaking.  After  prayers  they  broke  out  into  singing. 
Lieutenant  Ketchum  of  General  Saxton's  staff,  who  had  been 
placed  in  charge  of  the  confiscated  lands,  was  present,  to  an- 
swer their  questions. 

''  I  would  like  to  know  what  title  we  shall  have  to  our  lands, 
or  to  the  improvements  we  shall  make  ?  "  was  the  plain  ques- 
tion of  a  tall  black  man. 

"  You  will  have  the  faith  and  honor  of  the  United  States," 
was  the  reply. 

Rev.  Mr.  French  informed  them  that  the  government  could 
not  give  them  deeds  of  the  land,  but  tliai  General  Sherman  had 

28 


4S4 


THE   BOYS   OF   '61. 


[Dec. 


issued  the  order,  aud  without  doubt  President  Lincoln  would 
see  it  was  carried  out.  "•  Can't  you  trust  the  President  who 
gave  you  your  freedom  ?  "  he  asked. 

A  stout  man,  with  a  yellow  complexion,  rose  in  the  centre 
of  the  liouse :  "  I  have  a  house  here  in  the  city.  I  can  get  a 
good  living  here,  and  I  don't  want  to  go  to  the  islands  unless  I 
can  be  assured  of  a  title  to  the  land ;  and  I  think  that  is  the 
feeling  of  four  fifths  present.^' 

"  That 's  so  1 "  "  Yes,  brother !  "  was  responded.  Tliero 
was  evidently  a  reluctance  to  becoming  pioneers  in  such  an 
enterprise,  —  to  leaving  the  city  unless  the  guaranty  were  sure. 

Another  man  rose.  "  My  bredren,  I  want  to  raise  cotton, 
and  I  'm  gwine.*' 

It  was  a  short  but  effective  speech.  With  keen,  sharp  in 
tellect,  he  had  comprehended  the  great  commercial  question  of 
the  day.  He  knew  that  it  would  pay  to  raise  cotton  on  lands 
which  had  been  held  at  fabulous  prices  when  the  staple  was 
worth  but  ten  or  fifteen  cents.  He  was  going  to  imprcve  the 
opportunity  to  raise  cotton,  even  if  he  did  not  become  a  holder 
of  the  estate. 

"  I  'm  gwine  ye,  brudder !  "  "So  will  I ! "  and  there  was  a 
general  shaking  of  hands  as  if  that  were  sealing  a  contract. 
Having  determined  to  go,  they  joined  in  singing  "  The  Freed- 
men's  Battle-Hymn,"  sung  as  a  solo  and  repeated  in  chorus :  ~ 

FREEDMEN'S    BATTLE-HYMN. 


^  ^0^^0-    -^    •0'    -0-    ■^'  -r     -zr     -r    1^    -P-  -^    -P-    -P- 


r  T  T  r  T  ri  f--r-^  rr  r  r  r 

I'll     flght  for    Lib  -  er  -  ty,  I'll  fight  for   Lib  -  w- 


¥^0 


4 — ] [- 


^^ 


§^^i 


ty,         I '11  fight—  I 'U  fight  for  Lib   er  -  ty 


i 


1864.]  SCENES  IN  SAVANNAH.  436 

iSo2o.  — Ill  fight  for  Liberty, 
I'll  fight  for  Liberty, 
111  fight  —  I 'U  fight  for  Liberty. 
Chorus.  —  In  the  New  Jerusalem, 
In  the  New  Jerusalem, 
In  the  New  —  the  New  Jerusalem. 

I  *m  not  afraid  to  die, 
I  *m  not  afraid  to  die, 
I  *m  not  —  I  'ra  not  afraid  to  die. 

Chorus,  —  In  the  New,  &c 

I  shall  meet  my  Saviour  there, 
I  shall  meet  my  Saviour  there, 
I  shall  meet  —  shall  meet  my  Saviour  there. 
Chorus.  —  In  the  New,  &c. 

I  shall  wear  a  starry  crown, 
I  shall  wear  a  starry  crown, 
I  shall  wear  —  I  shall  wear  a  starry  crown. 
Chorus.  —  In  the  New,  &c. 

The  colored  soldiers  of  Foster's  army  sang  it  at  tho  battle 
of  Honey  Hill,  while  preparing  to  go  into  the  fight.  How 
gloriously  it  sounded  now,  sung  by  five  hundred  frccdmcn  in 
the  Savannah  slave-mart,  where  some  of  the  singers  had  been 
toOld  in  days  gone  by!  It  was  worth  a  trip  from  Boston  to 
Savannah  to  hear  it. 

The  next  morning,  in  the  same  room,  I  saw  a  school  of  one 
hundred  colored  children  assembled,  taught  by  colored  teachers, 
who  sat  on  the  auctioneer's  platform,  from  which  had  risen 
voices  of  despair  instead  of  accents  of  love,  brutal  cursing 
instead  of  Christian  teaching.  I  listened  to  the  recitations, 
and  heard  their  songs  of  jubilee.  The  slave-mart  transformed 
to  a  school-house !  Civilization  and  Christianity  had  indeed 
begun  their  beneficent  work. 


436  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Deo. 


CHAPTER   XXVI, 

SHERMAN  IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

General  Sherman  received,  soon  after  his  arrival  in  Savan- 
nah, instructions  from  General  Grant  to  hasten  with  his  army 
to  James  River.  Transports  were  sent  down  for  the  ship- 
ment of  the  troops.  Grant  desired  to  comhine  the  two  great 
armies,  throw  Sherman  upon  his  own  left  flank,  and  sever 
Lee's  communications  with  the  Soutli,  and  also  prevent  his 
escape.  Through  all  the  long  months  of  summer,  autumn, 
and  winter,  —  from  June  to  February,  —  Grant  had  put  forth 
his  energies  to  accomplish  this  object,  hut  had  not  been  able 
to  cut  the  Danville  road,  Lee's  chief  line  of  supply  or  retreat. 
The  arrival  of  Sherman  upon  tlie  sea-coast  made  the  plan 
feasible. 

But  that  officer  thought  it  better  to  march  northward,  driv- 
ing the  enemy  before  liim,  and  finish  up  the  entire  Rebel  forces 
on  the  Atlantic  coast;  besides.  South  Carolma  deserved  a 
retribution  as  severe  as  that  wliich  had  been  meted  out  to 
Georgia.  lie  also  believed  that  he  could  thus  join  Grant 
quite  as  soon  as  by  the  more  circuitous  route  by  water.  Grant 
assented  to  the  proposition,  and  having  full  confidence  in  the 
ability  of  his  lieutenant,  left  him  to  co-operate  in  the  manner 
he  tliouglit  most  advisable. 

The  Rebels  expected  that  Sherman  would  move  upon  Charles- 
ton, but  such  was  not  his  intention.  lie  determined  to  make 
a  movement  which  would  compel  its  evacuation,  while  at  the 
same  time  he  could  drive  the  forces  of  tlie  Rebels  in  tlie  interior 
of  the  State  northward,  and  by  destroying  all  the  railroads  in 
his  progress,  and  severing  Lee  from  the  agricultural  regions 
of  tlio  South,  so  cripple  his  resources  as  to  paralyze  the  Rebel 
army  before  Richmond,  and  bring  the  war  to  a  speedy  close. 

He  wished  to  preserve  his  army  entire,  and  accorduigly  a 
division   of  the   Nineteenth  Corps,  which   had  fought  under 


]864.]  SHEKMAN  IN   SOUTH   CAKOLINA  437 

Emory  in  the  Southwest  and  under  Grover  in  the  Shenan- 
doah, having  no  enemy  to  pursue  after  the  anniliilation  of 
Early,  was  sent  down  to  garrison  Savannah,  Grover  being 
made  commandant  of  the  post. 

General  Howard,  commanding  the  right  wing,  took  trans- 
ports with  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  Blair's,  for  Beaufort,  whence 
he  pushed  into  the  interior,  striking  the  Charleston  and  Savan- 
nah Railroad  at  Pocatoligo,  and  establishing  there  a  depot  of 
supplies.  The  Fifteenth  Corps,  Logan's,  followed,  except 
Corse's  division,  which,  being  prevented  by  freshets  from 
marching  direct  to  Pocatoligo,  moved  with  the  left  wing,  com 
mandcd  by  Williams,  joining  the  Twentieth  Corps,  and  cross- 
ing the  Savannah  marched  to  Ilardccville,  on  the  Charleston 
Railroad,  and  opened  communication  with  Howard. 

"  Come  with  me,"  was  the  kind  invitation  of  General  Wil- 
liams ;  "  you  will  see  high  old  times,  I  reckon.  My  soldiers 
are  crazy  to  get  into  South  Carolina."  But  believing  that 
Sherman's  movement  would  necessitate  the  evacuation  of 
Charleston,  I  preferred  to  enter  that  city  at  the  hour  of  her 
deepest  humiliation. 

Davis's  corps,  the  Fourteenth,  with  Geary's  division  of  the 
Twentieth,  crossed  at  Sister's  Ferry,  fifty  miles  above  Savan- 
nah Tliis  detour  was  necessary  on  account  of  the  flooding 
of  the  country  by  freshets.  The  gunboat  Pontiac  was  sent 
up  to  cover  the  crossing.  When  Slocum  reached  the  river 
at  Sister's  Ferry  he  found  it  three  miles  in  width,  and  too 
deep  to  ford,  and  was  obliged  to  wait  till  the  Tth  of  Febru- 
ary before  he  could  cross.  This  movement  deceived  Hardee 
and  Beauregard.  The  presence  of  Howard  at  Pocatoligo  looked 
like  an  advance  upon  Charleston,  w^iile  Slocum  being  at  Sis- 
ter's Ferry  indicated  an  attack  upon  Augusta.  The  Rebel 
commanders  therefore  undertook  to  hold  a  line  a  hundred 
miles  in  length.  D.  H.  Hill  was  hurried  to  Augusta,  Hardee 
took  position  at  Branchville,  while  Beauregard  remained  at 
Charleston.  This  scattering  of  the  Rebel  forces  made  Sher- 
man's task  comparatively  easy,  as  their  combined  army  would 
hardly  have  been  a  match  for  Sherman  in  a  pitched  battle  on 
a  fair  field.  His  troops  had  entire  confidence  in  themselves 
and  in  their  commander.     Having  fought  their  way  from  Chat 


138  THE  BOYS  OF   oi.  [Dec. 

tanooga  to  Atlanta,  having  marched  to  the  sea  and  taken  Fort 
McAllister  and  Savannah,  they  believed  there  was  no  obstacle 
which  they  could  not  overcome  in  marching  or  fighting. 

Wilmington  had  been  captured,  and  Sherman  proposed  to 
receive  his  next  supplies  from  the  coast. 

"  I  shall  reach  Goldsboro*  about  the  15th  of  March,"  said 
Sherman  to  his  chief  quartermasters,  who  at  once  made  prep- 
arations to  forward  supplies  from  Morehead  City  in  North 
Carolina. 

Sherman  held  a  conference  with  Admiral  Dahlgren  on  the 
22d  of  January,  and  with  General  Foster,  commanding  the 
Department  of  the  South.  All  the  troops  in  that  quarter  were 
to  be  employed  in  a  movement  against  Charleston.  General 
Foster  being  in  feeble  health,  Major-General  Gillmore,  who  had 
charge  of  the  department  during  the  summer,  and  who  had 
conducted  the  engineering  operations  against  Wagner  and 
Sumter,   again   took   command. 

Tlie  march  of  the  right  wing,  under  Howard,  commenced  on 
the  1st  of  February.  Howard  found  obstructions  on  all  the 
roads.  The  negroes  from  the  plantations  had  been  impressed 
into  the  Rebel  service  to  burn  bridges,  fell  trees,  and  open 
sluice-ways ;  but  his  Pioneer  Corps  was  so  thoroughly  organ- 
ized that  such  obstacles  did  not  greatly  impede  his  progress. 

The  Salkehatchie  River  runs  southeast,  and  reaches  the 
Atlantic  midway  between  Charleston  and  Savannah.  Howard 
moved  up  its  southern  bank,  northwest,  till  he  reached  River's 
bridge,  thirty-five  miles  above  Pocatoligo.  It  was  a  weary 
march,  through  swamps,  mud,  and  pine-barrens.  River's  bridge 
and  Beaufort  bridge  were  held  by  the  Rebels,  who  were  strongly 
posted.  Blair,  with  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  was  ordered  to 
carry  the  first,  and  Logan,  with  the  Fifteenth,  the  latter.  Blair 
detailed  Mower's  and  Corse's  divisions  for  the  work.  The  troops 
saw  before  them  a  swamp  three  miles  wide,  overflowed,  with 
soft  mire  beneath,  filled  with  gnarled  roots  of  gigantic  trees. 
It  was  mid- winter.  The  air  was  keen.  They  knew  not  the 
depth  of  the  water.  The  forest  was  gloomy.  Above  tliem 
waved  the  long  gray  tresses  of  moss.  There  was  nothing 
of  pomp  and  circumstance  to  inspire  them.  It  was  an  un- 
dertaking full  of  hazard.     They  must  shiver  an  hour  in  the 


1864.]  SHERMAN  m  SOUTH   CAROLINA.  439 

water,  breast  deep,  before  they  could  reach  the  enemy.  But 
they  hesitated  not  an  instant  when  the  order  was  given  to  more. 
They  stepped  into  the  water  jocosely,  as  if  upon  a  holiday  ex- 
cursion. 

A  Rebel  brigade  guarded  the  farther  shore ;  flanking  it,  and 
reaching  the  firm  land  below  the  bridge,  the  troops  rushed  reck- 
lessly forward,  and  quickly  drove  the  enemy  from  his  strong 
position,  losing  but  seventeen  killed  and  seventy  wounded. 

Thus  by  one  dash  the  Rebel  line  of  the  Salkehatchie  was 
broken,  and  Hardee  retired  behind  the  Edisto  to  Branchvillo. 
The  railroad  from  Charleston  to  Augusta  was  reached  the  next 
day,  and  D.  H.  Hill  at  Augusta,  with  one  third  of  the  Rebel 
force,  was  severed  from  Hardee  and  Beauregard.  For  three 
days  Howard's  men  were  engaged  in  destroying  the  railroad 
west  of  the  Edisto, — waiting  also  for  the  left  wing,  which  had 
been  detained  by  freshets. 

Kilpatrick,  meanwhile,  had  pushed  well  up  towards  Augusta, 
driving  Wheeler,  burning  and  destroying  property,  and  threat- 
ening Hill.  The  Rebels  everywhere  were  in  a  state  of  conster- 
nation. They  could  not  divine  Sherman's  intentions.  The 
people  of  Charleston,  who  for  four  years  had  heard  the  thunder 
of  cannon  day  and  night  down  the  harbor,  and  had  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  it  was  impossible  the  city  could  ever  be  taken, 
now  thought  Sherman  was  intending  to  knock  for  admission  at 
the  back  door.  The  people  of  Augusta  saw  that  their  fair  town 
was  threatened.  It  had  been  an  important  place  to  the  Confed- 
erates through  the  war,  contributing  largely  to  help  on  the  Re- 
bellion by  its  manufacturing  industry.  Citizens  fled  from 
Charleston  to  Cheraw,  Columbia,  Winsboro',  and  other  towns 
up  the  Santee  and  Catawba,  little  thinking  that  they  were 
jumping  from  the  "frying-pan  into  the  fire." 

Branchville  is  sixty-two  miles  northwest  of  Charleston,  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  Edisto.  Hardee  expected  to  see  Sher- 
man at  that  place,  and  made  elaborate  preparations  to  defend 
it,  as  it  lay  in  the  path  to  Charleston.  But  Sherman,  instead 
of  turning  southeast,  kept  his  eye  on  the  north  star,  and  moved 
on  Orangeburg,  thirteen  miles  north  of  Branchville,  where  also 
the  Rebels  were  prepared  to  make  a  stand ;  but  the  Seventeenth 
Corps  made  one  dash,  and  the  enemy  fled  from  a  long  breast- 


440  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec. 

work  of  cotton-bales.  This  was  on  the  12th  of  February. 
Meanwhile  General  Hatch,  with  a  portion  of  Gillmore's  troops, 
wai  threatening  Charleston  along  the  coast. 

A  division  under  General  Potter,  accompanied  by  a  large 
number  of  gunboats,  went  to  Bull's  Bay,  north  of  Charleston, 
as  if  to  approach  the  city  from  that  quarter.  The  monitors 
were  inside  the  bar.  There  were  Union  troops  on  Morris's  Isl- 
and, ready  to  move,  while  the  batteries  kept  up  their  fire,  send 
ing  shells  into  the  city.  Thus  from  every  point  except  on  the 
northern  side  Charleston  was  threatened. 

It  was  not  till  Howard  was  well  up  towards  Columbia  that 
Hardee  saw  he  had  been  completely  flanked,  and  that  Sherman 
had  no  intention  of  going  to  Charleston.  The  only  Ibrce  in 
front  of  Sherman  was  Wheeler's  and  Wade  Hampton's  cavalry, 
with  straggling  bands  of  infantry.  Hampton's  home  was  Co- 
lumbia. He  was  ricli,  and  had  a  palatial  residence.  He  was 
an  aristocrat,  in  principle  and  action.  He  was  bitter  in  his  ha- 
tred of  the  Union  and  the  men  of  the  North.  He  had  fought 
upon  nearly  all  the  battle-fields  of  Virginia,  and  doubtless,  in 
common  with  most  of  the  people  of  his  State,  had  not  thought 
it  possible  the  war  should  reach  his  own  door.  But  Sherman 
was  there,  and  being  powerless  to  defend  the  capital  cf  the 
State,  he  was  reckless  to  destroy. 

Columbia  had  been  a  depot  of  supplies  through  the  war.  In 
view  of  its  occupation,  Sherman  gave  written  orders  to  How- 
ard to  spare  all  dwellings,  colleges,  schools,  churches,  and 
private  property,  but  to  destroy  the  arsenals  and  machinery  for 
the  manufacture  of  war  material. 

Howard  threw  a  bridge  across  the  river  three  miles  above 
the  city,  and  Stone's  brigade  of  Wood's  division  of  the  Fif- 
teenth Corps  was  sent  across.  The  Mayor  came  out  in  his 
carriage,  and  made  a  formal  surrender  to  Colonel  Stone,  who 
marched  up  the  streets,  where  huge  piles  of  cotton  were  burn- 
ing. Hampton,  in  anticipation  of  the  giving  up  of  tlio  city, 
had  caused  the  cotton  to  be  gathered,  public  as  well  as 
private,  that  it  might  be  burned.  There  were  thousands  of 
bales.  Negroes  were  employed  to  cut  the  ropes  that  bound 
them,  and  apply  the  torch.  As  Stone  marched  in  the  last  of 
Hampton's  troops  moved  out.     The  wind  was  liigh,  and  flakes 


1864.]  SHERMAN  IN   SOUTH   CAROLINA.  'l41 

of  burning  cotton  were  blown  about  the  streets,  setting  fire  to 
the  buildings.  The  soldiers  used  their  utmost  exertions  to 
extinguish  the  flames,  working  under  the  direction  of  their 
ofiiccrs.  The  whole  of  Wood's  division  was  sent  in  for  the 
purpose,  but  very  little  could  be  done  towards  saving  the  city. 
The  fire  raged  through  the  day  and  night.  Hundreds  of  fam- 
ilies were  burned  out,  and  reduced  from  opulence,  or  at  least 
competency,  to  penury.  It  was  a  terrible  scene  of  sufTering  and 
woe,  —  men,  women,  and  children  fleeing  from  the  flames, 
surrounded  by  a  hostile  army,  composed  of  men  whom  they 
had  called  vandals,  ruffians,  the  slime  of  the  North,  the  pests 
of  society,  and  whom  they  had  looked  upon  with  haughty  con- 
tempt, as  belonging  to  an  inferior  race.  Indescribable  their 
anguish ;  and  yet  no  violence  was  committed,  no  insulting 
language  or  action  given  by  those  soldiers.  Shorman,  Howard, 
Logan,  Hazen,  Woods,  —  nearly  all  of  Sherman's  officers, —  did 
what  they  could  to  stay  the  flames  and  alleviate  the  distress. 
They  experienced  no  pleasure  in  beholding  the  agony  of  the 
people  of  Columbia. 

General  Sherman  thus  vindicates  himself  in  his  official  re- 
port, and  charges  the  atrocity  upon  Wade  Hampton :  — 

"  I  disclaim  on  the  part  of  my  army  any  agency  in  this  fire,  but,  on ' 
the  contrary,  claim  that  we  saved  what  of  Columbia  remains  uncon- 
sumed.  And  without  hesitation  I  charge  General  Wade  Hampton 
with  having  burned  his  own  city  of  Columbia,  —  not  with  a  mahcious 
intent,  or  as  the  manifestation  of  a  silly  *  Roman  stoicism,*  but  from 
folly  and  want  of  sense,  in  filling  it  with  lint,  cotton,  and  tinder.  Our 
oflicers  and  men  on  duty  worked  weU  to  extinguish  the  flames ;  but 
others  not  on  duty,  including  the  officers  who  had  long  been  imprisoned 
there,  rescued  by  us,  may  have  assisted  in  spreading  the  fire  after  it 
had  once  begun,  and  may  have  indulged  in  unconcealed  joy  to  see  the 
ruin  of  the  capital  of  South  Carolina."  * 

Thus  Columbia,  the  beautiful  capital  of  a  onco  haughty 
State,  became  a  blackened  waste.  The  convention  which  passed 
the  ordinance  of  Secession,  when  called  together  on  the  17th 
of  December,  1860,  met  in  Columbia,  but  after  organizing  ad- 
journed to  Charleston,  as  the  city  was  infected  with  small- 

*  Sherman's  Beport 


44li  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  ■  [Oec. 

pox.  But  it  was  the  more  poisonous  virus  of  Secession  which 
finally  laid  their  proud  city  low. 

The  people  of  South  Carolina  are  bitter  in  their  hatred  of 
General  Sherman.  They  charge  all  the  devastation  commit- 
ted during  his  march  from  Atlanta  to  Goldsboro'  upon  him. 
In  their  estimation  he  is  "  a  fiend,"  and  his  conduct  not  merely 
"  inhuman,"  but  "  devilish."  Yet  he  only  adopted  the  policy 
which  the  Rebel  leaders  urged  upon  their  adherents,  and 
which  was  vehemently  advocated  by  the  Southern  press. 
Rebel,  not  loyal  torches,  fired  Charleston,  Orangeburg,  and 
Columbia. 

It  is  claimed  that  Sherman  did  not  regard  private  property, 
out  destroyed  it  indiscriminately  with  that  belonging  to  the 
Confederate  government.  Was  there  any  respect  shown  by  the 
Rebel  authorities  ?  Cotton,  resin,  turpentine,  stores  owned  by 
private  individuals,  were  remorselessly  given  to  the  flames  by 
the  Rebels  themselves,  and  their  acts  were  applauded  by  the 
people  of  the  South  as  evincing  heroic  self-sacrifice. 

Great  stress  is  laid  upon  the  sufiering  occasioned  by  the  pil- 
laging and  burning  by  Sherman's  troops ;  but  in  Pennsylvania 
yet  remain  the  ruins  of  Chambersburg  as  evidence  of  the  ten- 
der mercy  of  the  Rebels,  who  not  only  destroyed  public  prop- 
erty, but  gave  dwelling-houses  and  stores  to  the  torch. 

What  act  so  malignant,  bloody,  ghastly,  and  fiendish  as  the 
sacking,  burning,  and  massacre  at  Lawrence !  What  deed  so 
damning  since  the  barbarities  of  Scio  or  Wyoming  !  What  woe 
so  deep!  —  men,  children,  murdered,  butchered,  scalped,  the 
bodies  of  the  dead  tossed  into  the  flames !  No  relenting  on 
the  part  of  the  Rebels,  but  savage,  infuriate  joy  at  the  sight  of 
tlie  warm  heart's  blood  of  their  victims !  Woman's  prayers 
and  tears  availed  not  to  stay  their  murderous  hands  or  move 
their  brutal  hearts. 

The  responsibility  cannot  be  evaded  by  saying  that  Quantrel 
was  only  a  guerilla.  If  not  holding  a  commission  from  the 
Rebel  government,  he  was  fighting  for  the  Confederacy,  and 
was  ranked  with  Morgan  and  Mosby.  He  was  an  ally  of  Jeff 
Davis  and  General  Lee.  When  were  his  acts  disavowed  by  the 
Rebel  government  ?  What  restraint  was  ever  laid  upon  him  ? 
He  passed  from  the  scene  of  aiassacre,  lighted  by  the  flames  of 


1864.] 


SHERMAN   m   SOUTH   CAROLrNA. 


448 


the  burning  town,  safely  into  the  Rebel  lines,  where  instead  of 
outlawry  he  found  protection  and  favor.  On  what  page  of  Con- 
federate history  shall  we  read  the  remonstrance  of  Lee,  Davis, 
Stephens,  Toombs,  or  Breckenridge  ?  Where  is  the  protest  of 
the  "  chivalrous"  gentlemen  of  the  South?  What  action  was 
taken  by  the  Rebel  Congress  ? 

Yain  the  search  for  disavowal  of  or  protest  against  the  act. 
The  historian  of  another  generation  will  be  able  to  pass  right 
judgment  upon  all  that  has  transpired  during  these  dark  years 
of  anarchy  and  revolution,  sorrow,  tears,  and  anguish.  The 
verdict  of  posterity  will  be  just,  and  will  endure  through  tlip 


MISSISSIPPI    RIVER  HOSPITAL    STEAMER. 


444  THK  BOYS  OF  '61.  'Dec 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 
flOUTH    CAROLINA    BEFORE    THE    WAR. 

To  fully  oompreliend  the  fitting  punishment  of  South  Caro- 
lina wo  must  keep  in  remembrance  her  position  before  the 
war.  We  must  behold  her  as  she  appeared  in  1860, — the 
leader  and  chief  conspirator  against  the  Republic. 

She  had  always  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  political 
affairs  of  the  nation.  Although  a  State,  she  was  hardly  a  re- 
publican commonwealth,  and  very  far  from  being  a  democracy. 
The  State  was  ruled  by  a  clique,  composed  of  wealthy  men,  of 
ancient  name,  who  secured  privileges  and  prerogatives  for 
themselves  at  the  expense  of  the  people,  who  had  but  little 
voice  in  electing  their  lawgivers. 

The  basis  of  representation  in  the  Legislature  was  exceed- 
ingly complex.  In  the  House  of  Representatives  it  was  a  mix- 
ture of  property,  population,  white  inhabitants,  taxation,  and 
slaves.  In  the  Senate  it  consisted  of  geographical  extent,  white 
and  slave  population,  taxation,  and  property.  The  Senate  was 
constituted  after  the  "  Parish  system,"  which  gave  the  whole 
control  of  political  affairs  in  the  State  into  the  hands  of  a  few 
wealthy  men  from  the  sea-coast. 

There  are  two  distinct  classes  of  people  in  South  Carolina, 
—  the  lowlanders  and  the  uplanders.  The  settlers  of  the  low- 
lands were  emigrants  from  England  and  France,  gentlemen 
with  aristocratic  ideas.  The  settlers  of  the  uplands,  in  the 
western  counties,  were  pioneers  from  Virginia  and  North  Caro- 
lina, —  small  farmers,  cultivating  their  own  lands.  During  the 
Revolutionary  war  the  uplanders  were  Whigs,  the  lowlanders 
Tories.  The  lowlanders  had  wealth,  the  uplanders  were  poor. 
When  the  Constitution  was  formed,  organizing  a  State  govern- 
ment, the  lowlanders  took  care  of  their  own  interests.  The 
lowlands  in  Colonial  times  were  divided  into  parishes,  and 
with  the  forming  of  the  Constitution  each  parish  was  to  have  a 


BATTLE  Ob'    FORT   SUMTER 


1864.]  SOUTH  CABOLINA  BEFORE  THE  WAR.  445 

Senator.  The  uplands,  not  being  parishes,  were  districts 
of  much  larger  territorial  area,  hence  political  power  fell  into 
the  hands  of  a  few  individuals  along  the  coast.  As  white  pop- 
ulation increased  in  the  districts,  and  decreased  or  remained 
stationary  in  the  parishes,  the  up-country  men  tried  to  emanci- 
pate themselves  from  political  serfdom,  but  there  was  no  rem- 
edy except  by  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution,  through  a 
Convention  called  by  the  Legislature ;  and  as  the  lowlanders 
had  control  of  that  body,  there  was  no  redress.  The  State, 
therefore,  became  an  engine  of  political  power,  managed  and 
worked  by  a  few  men  from  Charleston,  Beaufort,  St.  Helena, 
Edisto,  Colleton,  and  other  parishes  along  the  sea-coast. 

Nature  gave  South  Carolina  sunny  skies  and  a  genial  clime. 
The  sea  contributed  an  atmosphere  which  gained  for  Edisto 
and  St.  Helena  islands  the  monopoly  in  the  world's  markets  for 
cotton  of  finest  fibre.  Wealth  increased  with  the  gathering 
in  of  each  new  crop,  and  with  wealth  came  additional  power. 
Superiority  of  political  privilege  made  the  few  impatient  of 
restraint  and  ambitious  not  only  to  control  State,  but  national 
affairs.  South  Carolina  attempted  defiance  of  national  law  in 
1832,  and  was  defeated. 

The  parishes  governed  the  State  solely  in  the  interests  of 
slavery.  It  gave  them  power,  to  perpetuate  which  they  made 
slavery  aggressive.  Here  is  exposed  the  root  from  which  Se- 
cession sprung.  Free  labor  in  the  North  was  a  plant  of 
vigorous  growth.  Slavery  was  slow.  It  left  worn-out  lands  in 
its  track.  Hard  work,  brutality,  and  sin  sent  its  victims  to  an 
early  grave.  Freedom  was  gaining  ground.  Slavery  must  be 
carried  into  the  Territories  and  secure  a  foothold  in  advance  of 
free  labor.  So  the  struggle  began,  and  through  pride,  passion, 
and  malignant  hatred  of  the  North  Secession  was  at  last  ac- 
complished. 

Upon  the  assembling  of  the  Legislature  for  the  choice  of 
Presidential  electors,  the  President  of  the  Senate,  W.  D.  Por- 
ter, of  Charleston,  said  to  his  fellow-legislators :  — 

"  All  that  is  dear  and  precious  to  this  people,  —  life,  fortune,  name, 
and  history,  —  all  is  committed  to  our  keeping  for  weal  or  for  woe,  for 
honor  or  for  shame.  Let  us  do  our  part,  so  that  those  who  come  after 
us  shall  acknowledge  that  we  were  not  unworthy  of  the  great  trust* 


446  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec. 

devolved  upon  ub,  and  not  unequal  to  the  great  exigencies  by  whick 

we  were  tried No  human  power  can  withstand  or  break  down  a 

united  people,  standing  upon  their  own  soil  and  defending  their  own 
firesides."  * 

They  made  their  election.     They  thought  it  to  bo  weal,  but 
under  God's  providence  it  proved  to  be  woe. 
A  Senator  said :  — 

•*  We  have  two  ways  before  us,  —  in  one,  whether  we  will  or  not,  we 
must  tread ;  for,  in  the  event  of  this  issue,  there  would  be  no  repose. 
In  both  lie  dangers,  difficulties,  and  troubles,  which  no  human  foresight 
can  foreshadow  or  perceive ;  but  they  are  not  equal  in  magnitude.  One 
is  beset  with  humiliation,  dishonor,  emeutes,  rebellion,  —  with  submis- 
sion in  the  beginning  to  all,  and  at  all  times,  and  confiscation  and 
slavery  in  the  end.  The  other,  it  is  true,  has  its  difficulties  and  trials, 
but  no  disgrace.  Hope,  duty,  and  honor  shine  along  the  path.  Hope 
beacons  you  to  the  end For  himself  he  would  unfurl  the  Pal- 
metto flag,  fling  it  to  the  breeze,  and  with  the  spirit  of  a  brave  man 
determine  to  live  and  die  as  became  our  glorious  ancestors,  and  ring  the 
clarion  notes  of  defiance  in  the  face  of  an  insolent  foe."* 

When  assembled  in  nibernia  Hall,  in  Charleston,  since  called 
Secession  Hall,  the  delegates  gave  free  utterance  to  their  senti- 
ments. 

Said  Mr.  Parker :  — 

"  It  is  no  spasmodic  eflfort  that  has  come  suddenly  upon  us ; 
it  has  been  gradually  culminating  for  a  long  period  of  thirty 
years.  At  last  it  has  come  to  that  point  where  ono  may  say 
the  matter  is  entirely  right." 

"  I  have  been  engaged  in  this  movement  ever  since  I  entered 
political  life,"  said  Lawrence  M.  Keitt. 

"  It  is  not  anything  produced  by  Mr.  Lincoln's  election  or  by 
the  non-execution  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law.  It  has  been  a 
matter  which  has  been  gathering  head  for  thirty  years,"  said 
R.  Barnwell  Rhett. 

It  was  the  fire  of  1832  flaming  anew.  No  rights  had  been 
mvaded.  That  Secession  was  inaugurated  without  cause  must 
ever  be  the  verdict  of  history.  And  history  will  forever  hold 
John  C.  Calhoun,  R.  Barnwell  Rhett,  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Elliott, 

•  Proceedings  of  South  Carolina  Legblature. 
t  Speech  of  Senator  Chestnut 


1864.]  SOUTH   CAROLINA  BEFORE  THE  WAR.  44/ 

Rev.  Dr.  Thomwell,  and  other  statesmen,  editors,  ministers,— 
members  of  the  slaveholding  forum,  bar,  and  pulpit,  —  respon- 
sible for  all  the  suffering,  bloodshed,  and  desolation  which  have 
come  to  the  country. 

Proud  in  spirit  was  South  Carolina  just  then.  The  cotton 
crop  was  luxuriant.  Planters  were  plethoric  with  money. 
The  internal  slave-trade  established  its  marts  of  human  flesh 
all  through  the  South.  Virginia  became  slave-breeding,  and 
South  Carolina  slave-consuming.  In  former  years  slavery  was 
deemed  an  evil,  a  curse ;  but  the  call  for  cotton,  its  rise  in  mar- 
ket value,  with  increased  profit  of  culture  and  a  consequent 
demand  for  labor,  transformed  it  into  a  blessing,  to  be  perpet 
uated  for  the  best  good  of  the  human  race. 

It  was  found  to  be  in  perfect  accordance  with  the  teachings 
of  the  Bible.  The  system  itself  was  right ;  the  abuse  of  the 
good  was  only  evil.  Rev.  Dr.  Thornwell,  Professor  of  The- 
ology in  the  Presbyterian  Seminary  at  Columbia,  came  boldly 
forward  to  advocate  slavery  as  a  Divine  institution,  ordained 
of  God  for  the  welfare  of  the  human  race.  He  preached 
thus:  — 

"  Our  slaves  are  our  solemn  trust,  and  while  we  have  a  right  to 
use  and  direct  their  labors,  we  are  bound  to  feed,  clothe,  and  protect 
them,  to  give  them  the  comforts  of  this  life,  and  to  introduce  them 
to  the  hope  of  a  blessed  immortahty.  They  are  moral  beings,  and 
it  will  be  found  that  in  the  culture  of  their  moral  nature  we  reap  the 
largest  reward  from  their  service.  The  relation  itself  is  moral,  and 
in  the  tender  affections  and  endearing  sympathies  it  evokes  it  gives 
scope  for  the  most  attractive  graces  of  human  character.  Strange  as 
it  may  sound  to  those  who  are  not  famihar  with  the  system,  slavery  is 
a  school  of  virtue,  and  no  class  of  men  have  furnished  sublimer  instances 
of  heroic  devotion  than  slaves  in  their  loyalty  and  love  to  their  masters. 
We  have  seen  them  rejoice  at  the  cradle  of  the  infant,  and  weep  at  the 
bier  of  the  dead ;  and  there  are  few  among  us  who  have  not  drawn  their 
nourishment  from  their  generous  breasts."  * 

Such  was  the  teaching  from  those  who  called  themselves 
appointed  of  God  to  preach  the  Gospel  of  purity  and  peace. 
Church  and  State,  morals  and  religion,  everything  that  could 
give  strength  and  respectibility  to  their  cause,  were  brought  in 

•  Southern  Prahyterian  Review,  January,  1861. 


448  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Deo. 

to  aid  the  work  of  the  conspirators.  So  thorough  were  the 
teachings,  that  South  Carolina  became  almost  a  unit  on  the 
question  of  Secession. 

The  people  of  the  South  charge  the  Union  army  with  dese- 
crating their  church  edifices.  Is  it  a  wonder  that  soldiers, 
reasoning  from  cause  to  effect,  concluded  that  the  religion 
which  was  foremost  in  precipitating  a  Rebellion  which  sus- 
tained such  an  inhuman  system  was  not  worth  serious  consid- 
eration ?  Is  it  a  wonder  that,  after  experiencing  the  horrors 
of  Rebel  prisons,  they  lost  reverence  for  a  religion  which  could 
uphold  a  government  guilty  of  such  fiendish  cruelties  ? 

Slavery  was  the  corner-stone  and  foundation  of  the  Confed- 
eracy. Never  was  the  trade  in  slaves  between  States  so  thriv- 
ing as  during  the  winter  of  1860.  And  the  leaders  of  the 
Rebellion  were  looking  forward  to  the  time  when  the  commerce 
with  Africa  would  be  reopened.  Mr.  Lamar  of  Savannah,  who 
during  the  Rebellion  was  agent  of  the  Confederacy  in  London 
for  the  purchase  of  army  supplies,  imported  in  the  bark  Wan- 
derer a  cargo  of  native  Africans,  some  of  whom  were  sold  in 
Charleston.  There  was  a  large  party  in  the  Confederate  Con- 
gress which  advocated  the  resumption  of  the  foreign  trade,  the 
abolition  of  which  in  1808  was  set  down  as  one  of  the  griev- 
ances of  the  South. 

It  is  the  province  of  history  to  make  a  record  of  the  bad  as 
well  as  the  good,  shameful  and  humiliating  though  it  may  be. 
Sin  and  wickedness  are  horrible  facts.  To  view  them  as  such, 
to  contemplate  them  in  contrast  with  holiness  and  righteous- 
ness, and  draw  useful  lessons  from  such  contemplation,  is  far 
better  than  to  say  that  they  have  no  place  in  history.  Poster- 
ity will  wonder  that  a  Church  which  called  itself  Christian 
ever  gave  its  support  and  advocacy  to  an  institution  which 
daily  brought  its  victims,  like  cattle,  to  the  auction-block,  which 
made  no  distinction  of  age,  which  was  remorseless  as  death,  and 
which  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave  held  its  victim  as  with  a 
tiger's  gripe. 

On  the  opposite  page  is  presented  a  sample  of  an  auctioneer's 
handbill,  which  I  found  upon  the  floor  of  the  slave-mart,  with 
the  prices  paid  by  the  buyers  marked  in  pencil  against  the 
names  of  the  "  chattels,"  and  now  appearing  in  parentheses. 


1864.]  SOUTH   CAROLINA   BEFORE   THE   WAR.  449 

Administrator's  Sale,  by  Order  of  the  Ordinary. 

A  PRIME  AND  ORDERLY  GANG  OF 

68  Long  Cotton  Field  Negroes, 

Belonging  to  the  Estate  of  the  lato  Christopher  J.  Whaley. 

WILBUR  &  SON 

Wm  seU  at  PUBLIC  AUCTION  in  Charieston, 

At  the  Mart  in  Chalmers  Street, 

On    Tlinrsday,    Feb.    Sd,    I860, 
COMMENCING  AT  ELEVEN  O'CLOCK, 

THE  FOLLOWING  GANG  OF  LONG  COTTON  NEGROES, 

Who  are  said  to  be  remarkably  prime,  and  will  be  sold  as  per  Catalogue. 


NAMES. 

AGES. 

NAMES. 

A0K81 

Jimmy, 

driver, 

30 

Carter, 

86 

Flora, 

seamstress, 

24 

Taffy, 

IS 

James, 

5 

Rachel,     ($ 

720,) 

8 

Charles, 

(« 

125,) 

1 

Jannett, 

18 

August, 

52 

Phebe,    ($  «60,) 

40 

Mathias, 

(S 

1,220,) 

18 

Judy, 

8 

Sandy, 

16 

Major, 

40 

John, 

13 

Lavinia, 

80 

Tom, 

70 

Billy,     ($550,) 

10 

Jack, 

88 

Tamor, 

6 

James, 

6 

Jimmy, 

62 

Leah, 

5 

Kate, 

46 

Flora, 

2 

Susan, 

25 

Andrew, 

42 

Thomas,     ($ 

880,) 

6 

Binah, 

40 

Kate, 

1 

Phillis, 

20 

Edward, 

coachman, 

49 

Mary, 

15 

Amey, 

22 

Lymus, 

10 

Teneh, 

washer, 

30 

Abram, 

(« 

275,) 

2 

Josephine, 

9 

Binah, 

2 

mos. 

Sam, 

11 

Andrew, 

29 

Isaac, 

5 

Hagar, 

25 

AViUiam, 

1 

Dayman, 

4 

Amey, 

27 

Cnffy, 

21 

Louisa,     ($750,) 

8 

Hagar, 

($1,820,) 

20 

Joe, 

3 

Margaret, 

85 

Sam, 

ruptured. 

65 

Lucy, 

cripple. 

60 

Andrew, 

dropsical. 

61 

John, 

22 

Daniel, 

70 

Ellick, 

(S  1,160,) 

18 

Lymus, 

30 

Libby, 

19 

Lucy, 

nurse. 

58 

TERMS. 

One-third  Cash ;  balance  in  one  and  two  years,  secured  by  bond,  and  mortgage  of  the 
negroes,  with  approred  personal  security.     Purchasers  to  pay  us  for  papers. 
29 


460  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec. 

Tlio  Charleston  Mercury  was  the  organ  of  the  Secessionists 
from  the  start.  It  not  only  advocated  Secession  as  a  political 
principle,  but  filled  its  columns  with  articles  holding  up  to  ridi- 
cule  and  contempt  the  people  of  the  North.  The  spirit  of  hate 
Bcemed  to  seize  the  whole  community,  in  which  women  even 
exceeded  their  husbands.     Thus  wrote  a  Southern  lady :  — 

"  I  would  rather  die  than  hold  a  position  of  inferiority  and 
vassalage  to  the  North,  and  the  dominant  feeling  of  my  heart 
is  to  leave  a  State  where  men  are  too  cowardly  to  protect  their 
women  and  too  mercenary  to  risk  their  money."  * 

*'  The  question  has  thrust  itself  into  our  domestic  fireside, 
and  you  find  all  classes,  —  men,  women,  and  children,  —  ask- 
ing what  they  must  do  to  be  saved,"  said  W.  F.  Cullock,  Col 
lector  of  Charleston,  in  a  speech  at  the  Pulaski  Ilouse,  Savan 
nail,  on  the  opening  of  the  Charleston  and  Savannah  Railroad. 

"  Fight !  Secede ! "  was  the  response  from  the  drunken 
crowd. 

The  South  Carolina  Muse  tuned  her  lyre  and  sang,  — 

"  We  *11  unfurl  the  Lone- Star  banner, 
And  we  '11  keep  it  waving  high ; 
For  Secession  we  are  pledged, 
For  Secession  we  will  die." 

The  city  of  Charleston  was  foremost  for  Secession.  When 
the  news  was  received  that  Mr.  Lincoln  was  elected  President, 
a  red  flag,  with  the  palmetto-tree  and  a  lone  star  wrought  upon 
it,  was  raised.  Says  the  Mercury  :  "  A  shout  and  twice  three 
cheers  greeted  its  appearance.  Tlie  Association  of  1860  assem- 
bled.    The  feeling  was  for  prompt  action." 

The  Legislature  was  in  session  at  Columbia.  On  the  11th 
of  the  month  a  bill  was  passed  calling  a  State  convention. 

"  Gentlemen,  hats  off!  "  said  the  Mercury.  "  Then  hip-hij>- 
hi[hhurrah  !  —  and  hip-hip-hip-hurrah  —  hurrah  —  hurrah  — 
hurrah  —  for  the  homes  we  love!  "f 

Then  more  soberly  the  editor  added :  — 

*'  The  news  of  the  passage  of  the  convention  resolutions  by  an 
almost  unanimous  vote,  at  Columbia,  was  received  in  this  city  on  Sat- 

•  Charleston  Mercury,  November  3,  1860 
t  Mercury,  November  12,  1860. 


1864.]  SOUTH   CAKOLINA  BEFORE  THE   WAR  46) 

arday  night  with  demonstrations  <vhich  have,  perhaps,  never  beei: 
equalled  in  the  political  history  of  the  country.  Our  whole  commu- 
nity seemed  to  breathe  freer  and  deeper,  and  upon  every  brow  sa' 
confidence  and  hope.  It  was  as  though  the  glorious  sun  had  suddenl} 
dispersed  cloud  and  mist  and  vapor,  and  sent  its  illuminating  rays  t( 
every  heart  and  home.  Men  looked  each  other  in  the  face  as  mei 
should  do  who  feel  that  under  God  their  destinies  are  in  their  owi 
bands." 
Tims  a  "  daughter  of  South  Carolina  "  inflamed  her  sisters :  -  - 

"  Listen,  daughters  of  South  Carolina,  to  the  voice  of  a  faithful  sister 

Should  our  State  back  out  now  she  would  be  disgraced  forever 

Shrink  now,  and  we  are  crushed  forever.  Then  there  will  be  no  end 
of  the  trouble  you  fear.  Abolition  emissaries  will  be  at  work  all  over 
the  South,  inciting  the  negroes  in  every  direction.  Trials  must  come, 
but  let  them  come  in  the  right  way,  and  all  will  be  well.  Secede,  put 
ourselves  in  a  state  of  defence ;  be  ready  for  any  emergency.  Should 
the  government  coerce,  our  sister  States  will  come  to  the  rescue.  Let 
it  be  so.  Better  perish  beneath  the  shock  than  to  live  degraded.  .  .  . 
O  women  of  South  Carolina !  Mothers,  sisters,  wives  !  do  not  wear 
the  white  feather  now,  unless,  like  that  gallant  king  of  old,  it  waves  on 
our  men  to  the  war."  * 

Said  another :  — 

"  Let  us  women  of  Carolina  prove  that  the  same  noble  spirit  which 
visited  the  mothers  and  maidens  of  76  is  alive,  and  glowing  in  the 
spirits  of  their  descendants.  I  am  myself  a  widowed  mother,  but  I 
have  said  to  my  three  sons,  that  if  any  one  of  them  shall  be  craven 
enough  to  desert  the  State  now,  to  temporize  in  her  councils,  or  be 
backward  if  her  honor  calls  them  to  the  field,  let  him  never  look  upon 
my  face  again."  f 

What  had  transpired  to  produce  this  white  heat  of  passion  ? 
Simply  that  a  party  was  coming  into  power  opposed  to  the  ex- 
tension of  slavery  over  free  territory.  True  this  party  had 
also  disavowed  any  intention  of  interference  with  slavery  in 
the  States ;  but  restriction  was  loss  of  power,  —  paralysis  and 
death  at  last.  The  grievance  of  South  Carolina  arose  wholly 
from  slavery.  She  claimed  the  right  to  traffic  in  human  be- 
ings.    She  believed  it  was  a  natural  right,  authorized  by  the 

•  Mercury,  November  9,  1860. 

t  Charleston  Mercury ,  Ncvember  17,  1860. 


452  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Dec. 

Creatoi  oi  the  universe,  ha^dng  the  sanction  and  solemnity  of 
the  patriarchs,  prophets,  apostles,  and  Christ  himself.  It  was  a 
natural,  moral,  and  scriptural  right  for  a  master  to  rob  his 
brother  in  the  Lord  of  his  earnings  during  the  week,  commune 
with  him  on  Sunday,  whip  him  on  Monday,  and  sell  him  on 
Tuesday.  The  institution  being  missionary  in  its  nature,  and 
designed  to  carry  the  Gospel  to  Africa,  he  had  a  right  to  sepa- 
rate husbands  and  wives,  parents  and  children,  break  tlie 
marriage  relation,  and  establish  new  alliances  at  will.  No 
doubt  they  were  sincere  in  their  belief  that  the  system  was 
not  only  good  in  itself,  but  that  it  was  a  beneficent  arrange- 
ment for  the  well-being  of  the  human  race.  Certainly  it  was 
beaieficial  to  the  master ;  why  should  it  not  be  to  the  slave  ? 
Men  can  bo  as  sincerely  zealous  for  Wrong  as  for  Right. 
Eighteen  hundred  years  ago  a  man  zealous  for  the  truth  filled 
the  prisons  of  Syria  with  Christians,  and  thought  he  was  doing 
righteously  in  the  sight  of  God ;  and  human  nature  is  the  same 
now  as  then.  Men  and  women  who  advocated  the  righteousness 
of  slavery  were  scrupulous  to  a  penny  in  their  dealings  with  one 
another,  and  with  colored  people  who  were  free,  —  but  the  loss 
of  freedom  gave  the  right  to  commit  robbery !  Strange,  also, 
the  confusion  and  delusion  of  moral  ideas.  Society  prided 
itself  on  its  virtue.  Men  and  women  of  Caucasian  blood  de- 
parting from  morality  found  the  door  of  society  shut  against 
them ;  but  slavery  being  patriarchal  it  was  not  a  crime,  not 
even  an  offence  against  morality,  for  a  planter  to  choose  a 
Bagar  from  his  slaves.  Society  placed  no  bar  in  his  way,  the 
Church  no  ban  upon  hiis  action.  Hagar  could  be  taken  into 
the  master's  household,  appear  in  silks  and  satins,  with  Ish- 
mael  for  the  pet  of  the  family,  or  both  could  be  knocked  off 
to  the  liighest  bidder  in  the  mart,  separated  and  sent  one  to 
the  rice-swamps  of  Georgia  and  the  other  to  the  cane-brakes 
of  Louisiana,  Hagar  weeping  and  mourning  for  her  child,  and 
the  })lantcr,  with  the  price  of  blood  in  his  pocket,  be  received 
in  any  parlor  in  Charleston,  or  made  Governor  of  the  State ! 
Tliere  were  patriarchs  in  the  convention  which  carried  South 
Carolina  out  of  the  Union,  who  were  urged  on  to  treason  by 
the  women  of  the  South.  Ishmael  would  not  rise  in  insurrec- 
tion, even  if  his  brother  Isaac  and  father  A^braham  went  to 
war. 


1864.] 


SOUTH   CAROLINA    BEFORE   THE  WAR. 


453 


Said  another  "  daughter  of  South  Carolina  ** :  — 

"  Arming  the  State  will  keep  the  negroes  in  check.  They  are  airanl 
cowards,  those  dear  dark  friends  of  ours.  [?]  Some  of  you  can  remem- 
ber how  in  '22  they  would  shrink  away  at  the  gleam  of  their  master's 
sword  as  he  armed  for  the  nightly  patrol,  and  the  creaking  of  the 
horseman's  saddles  as  they  paraded  the  streets  sent  them  hiding  in 
every  hole  and  comer.''  * 

Isaac  was  eager  for  the  fray ;  he  burned  to  fight  the  Yankees. 
Hence  the  consummation  of  the  treason. 

•  Ch«rleiton  Mercury,  November  9,  1860. 


454  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Feo. 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

SUMTER. 

Port  Sumteb  was  evacuated  by  the  Rebels  and  occupied  by 
tlie  Union  troops  on  the  18th  of  February,  1865 ;  but  before 
entering  upon  the  events  of  that  ever-memorable  morning  it 
will  give  breadth  and  color  to  the  picture  to  glance  at  the 
scenes  witnessed  there  at  the  beginning  and  during  the  Re- 
bellion. 

On  the  17th  of  December,  1860,  Governor  Pickens  sent  a 
strictly  confidential  letter  to  President  Buchanan. 

"  To  spare  the  effusion  of  blood,"  said  he,  "  which  no  human  power 
may  be  able  to  prevent,  I  earnestly  beg  your  immediate  consideration 
of  all  the  points  I  call  your  attention  to I  would  most  respect- 
fully, and  from  a  sincere  devotion  to  the  public  peace,  request  that  you 
will  allow  me  to  send  a  small  force,  not  exceeding  twenty-five  men  and 
an  officer,  to  take  possession  of  Fort  Sumter  immediately,  in  order  to 
give  a  feeling  of  safety  to  the  community.  There  are  no  United  States 
troops  in  that  fort  whatever,  or  perhaps  only  four  or  five  at  present, 
besides  some  additional  workmen  or  laborers  lately  employed  to  put 

the  guns  in  order If  Fort  Sumter  could  be  given  to  me  as 

Gk)vernor,  I  think  the  public  mind  would  be  quieted,  under  a  feeling  of 
safety." 

The  State  seceded  on  the  20th.  Major  Anderson  with  a 
handfhl  of  men  was  at  Fort  Moultrie.  "The  garrison  will 
not  be  strengthened.  The  people  will  obey  the  call  for  war, 
and  take  the  forts,"  said  the  Charleston  Mercury  of  the  22d. 

Five  days  later,  on  the  27th,  the  people  of  Charleston  looked 
seaward  and  saw  Moultrie  in  flames,  and  the  stars  and  stripes 
waving  over  Sumter.  They  were  indignant.  They  consid- 
ered it  a  breach  of  faith. 

"  Anderson  has  opened  civil  war,"  said  the  Oourier* 

«  Courier,  December  29,  1860. 


1865."!  suMTEB.  466 

*'  His  act  must  bo  repudiated  by  the  government,"  said  the 
Mercury* 

"  Unless  you  order  Anderson  back,  I  cannot,  under  my  c6n- 
nctions  of  patriotism  and  honor,  continue  to  hold  office,"  said 
the  Secretary  of  War,  John  B.  Floyd,  of  Virginia,  t 

Charleston  was  intensely  excited. 

"  Assemble  the  Light  Infantry  and  the  Meagher  Guards  at 
the  Citadel.  Arm  them  and  take  possession  of  Castle  Pinck- 
aey.  Proceed  immediately  to  Fort  Moultrie ;  send  troops  to 
Morris  Iskmd,"  were  the  orders  of  Governor  Pickens  to  Colonel 
Pettigrew. 

"  Our  line  of  operations  embraces  four  points :  Fort  Moultrie, 
Castle  Pinckney,  Fort  Johnson,  and  Morris  Island.  You  are 
indebted  to  the  forbearance  of  the  enemy  for  the  liberty  of 
transporting  the  reinforcements  and  supplies,  which  you  ordered 
at  midnight,  and  which  are  to  be  sent  to  your  battery  now  in 
course  of  erection  on  Morris  Island.  A  single  gun  from  Fort 
Sumter  would  sink  your  transports  and  destroy  your  troops  and 
supplies,"  reported  General  Simmons  to  the  Governor  on  the 
1st  of  January. 

It  was  the  language  of  war.  The  United  States  was  an 
enemy.  The  guns  of  Moultrie  were  already  trained  on  Sumter. 
The  battery  on  Morris  Island  was  for  the  destruction  of  that 
fort.  South  Carolina  had  begun  the  war  in  intention  and  in 
fact.     The  erection  of  the  battery  was  war. 

On  the  9th  of  January  the  same  battery  opened  fire  on  the 
Star  of  the  West,  steaming  into  the  harbor,  bearing  the  United 
States  flag. 

"You  are  asked  to  surrender  the  fort  to  the  constituted 
authorities  of  South  Carolina,"  was  the  demand  of  Governor 
Pickens  on  the  11th. 

"  I  cannot  comply  with  your  request,"  was  the  response  from 
Anderson. 

Then  came  the  negotiations  between  Charleston  and  Wash- 
ington, —  the  demands  upon  Buchanan,  the  shuffling  and 
indecision  of  the  two-faced,  unprincipled  politician,  who  had 
written  himself  down  as  an  "  Old  Public  Functionary."    Majoi 

•  Mercury,  December  29,  1860.  t  Floyd's  Letter  to  Bachanan 


466  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Feb. 

Anderson  was  watched  day  and  night,  cut  off  from  intercourse 
with  the  shore,  deprived  of  fresh  provisions,  treated  as  an 
enemy,  and  compelled  to  see  the  preparations  on  Morris  Island 
and  on  the  floating  battery  for  the  reduction  of  the  fort.  Thus 
February  and  March  passed  away.  His  provisions  were  nearly 
gone.  Troops  were  pouring  into  Charleston  from  all  parts  of 
die  State  and  from  other  States.  Savannah  sent  a  company 
early  in  December.  They  were  under  the  command  of  General 
Beauregard,  —  a  small,  brown,  thin,  wiry  man,  forty  years  old, 
born  upon  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  in  Louisiana,  yet  more 
of  a  Frenchman  than  an  American. 

Mr.  Lincoln  could  not  consent  that  M^or  Anderson  should 
starve.  The  people  of  the  North  would  not  permit  it.  Its 
sentiment  was  for  sustaining  an  officer  who  had  been  true  to 
his  oath,  amid  a  general  breaking  down  of  loyalty. 

Sunday  dawned,  the  7th  of  April,  and  M^or  Anderson,  look- 
ing out  from  his  prison,  saw  the  Rebels  hard  at  work  to  com- 
plete the  batteries  on  Morris  Island. 

"  An  attempt  will  be  made  to  supply  Fort  Sumter  with  pro- 
visions only,"  was  the  official  notice  from  President  Lincoln  to 
Pickens  on  the  8th. 

"  Demand  the  surrender  of  the  fort ;  if  refused,  reduce  it," 
was  the  order  from  Montgomery. 

"  Surrender,"  was  the  message  of  Beauregard  to  Anderson 
"  I  cannot ;  but  I  shall  soon  be  starved  out  unless  relieved," 
was  the  courteous  reply. 

"  When  will  you  evacuate  ?  " 

"  At  noon  on  the  15th,  if  I  receive  no  supplies,"  wrote 
Anderson  on  the  11th. 

"  I  shall  open  fire  in  one  hour,"  was  the  last  message  of 
Beauregard,  at  twenty  minutes  past  three  on  the  morning  of 
the  12th. 

Then  came  the  roar  of  the  first  gun,  fired  by  old  Mr.  Ruffin, 
gray-haired,  nearly  fourscore.  Not  the  young  bloods  of  the 
South  alone,  but  men  and  women  of  all  ages  and  classes  were 
crazy  for  the  contest. 

Shells  burst  in  the  fort,  plunging  through  the  wooden  bar- 
racks and  officers'  quarters.  Solid  shot  from  Morris  Island 
were  liurled  point-blank  against  the  walls.  All  day  the  batter- 
ies flamed,  and  Sumter  leisurely  replied. 


DEFENCE    OP    FORT    SUMTER. 


1865.]  SUMTER.  457 

When  darkness  came  on  Sumter  closed  its  port-holes  and 
rested,  but  the  Rebels,  like  spirits  of  evil,  were  at  work  through 
the  night. 

The  second  day  dawned,  and  all  the  cannon  wore  roaring 
again.  The  barracks  were  on  fire,  the  smoke  curling  into 
the  casemates,  the  hot  stifling  air  reaching  the  gunners,  who, 
wrapping  themselves  in  wet  cloths,  and  covering  their  faces, 
crept  along  the  passages,  rolling  casks  of  powder  into  the  sea. 
What  delight  on  shore  to  see  the  flames  mount  above  the 
walls !  With  what  energy  Moultrie,  Pinckney,  and  Morris 
Island  and  the  floating  battery  redoubled  their  fire.  All  but 
three  of  Anderson's  cartridges  were  gone.  The  flagstaff  was 
shot  away.  "  The  flag  is  down !  "  is  the  cry  within  the  fort. 
Up  into  the  storm,  where  the  shot  and  shell  are  falling,  walks 
Lieutenant  Hall,  planting  the  flag  upon  the  parapet,  where  it 
waves  till  Wigfall  appears  at  a  port-hole.  Then  the  parley,  — 
the  surrender,  —  and  Charleston  was  excited  as  never  before 
or  since.  Men  and  women  on  the  house-tops,  and  gathered  in 
church-steeples;  business  at  a  stand  still,  champagne  flowing 
like  water,  costliest  wines  quaffed  at  the  expense  of  merchants 
of  New  York ;  bells  ringing,  guns  firing,  ladies  waving  their 
handkerchiefs,  —  the  city  all  aglow  with  bonfires  in  the  even- 
ing ;  crowds  surging  through  the  streets,  or  drinking  whiskey 
in  the  bar-rooms :  Beauregard  the  Napoleon  of  the  new  era. 
Governor  Pickens  addressed  the  mob  from  the  balcony  of  the 
Charleston  Hotel :  — 

"  It  is  a  glorious  and  exultant  occasion.  Fellow-citizens,  I  clearly 
saw  that  the  day  was  coming  when  we  would  triumph  beyond  the 
power  of  man  to  put  us  down.  Thank  God  the  day  has  come,— - 
thank  God  the  war  is  open,  and  we  will  conquer  or  perish !  We 
have  defeated  their  twenty  millions,  and  we  have  made  the  proud 
flag  of  the  stars  and  stripes,  that  never  was  lowered  before  to  any 
nation  on  this  earth,  —  we  have  lowered  it  in  humility  before  the  glori- 
ous Uttle  State  of  South  Carolina !  "  * 

Intoxicated  with  wine  and  whiskey,  delirous  with  success, 
insane  with  Secession,  the  jubilant  crowd  cheer  and  drink, 
and  shout  again,  bidding  defiance  to  the  government,  and 
cursing  the  Yankees. 

•  Speech  of  Governor  Pickeiu- 


468  THE  BOYS   OF   '61.  [Fob. 

Pour  years  pass,  and  Sumter  is  repossessed  by  the  troops 
of  the  Union.  How  cheering  the  sight  to  behold  once  more 
the  crimson  folds  and  fadeless  stars  of  our  country's  flag  wav- 
ing in  the  sunlight  over  the  crumbled  walls  ! 

Early  in  the  morning  we  entered  the  harbor,  —  General 
Gillmore  and  staff,  General  Webster,  chief  of  General  Sher- 
man's staff,  with  several  gentlemen  and  ladies  from  Port 
Royal.  The  blockading  fleet  and  the  monitors  were  steaming 
in,  their  long  watch  through  the  sweltering  days  of  summer 
and  the  stormy  nights  of  winter  at  an  end.  They  were  feel- 
ing their  way  up  the  channel  searching  for  torpedoes. 

The  steamer  Deer,  built  on  the  Clyde,  a  few  hours  from 
Nassau,  with  an  assorted  cargo,  —  alow,  rakish,  fast-running 
craft,  with  steam  escaping  from  her  pipes,  —  was  lying  under 
the  guns  of  a  monitor.  She  had  worked  her  way  in  during 
the  night.  The  crestfallen  captain  was  chewing  the  cud  of 
disappointment  on  the  quarter-deck,  looking  gloomily  seaward 
the  while,  and  doubtless  wishing  himself  in  the  harbor  of 
Nassau.  Two  nights  before  the  Syren  had  passed  in.  The 
wreck  of  a  third  blockade-runner  was  lying  on  the  sands  of 
Sullivan's  Island,  near  Moultrie,  which  months  before  had 
been  run  asliore  by  the  fleet.  The  tide  was  surging  through 
the  cabin  windows.  Barnacles  had  fastened  upon  the  hull, 
and  long  tresses  of  green,  dank  seaweed  hung  trailing  from 
the  iron  paddle-wheels.  It  was  a  satisfaction  to  know  that  the 
time  was  at  hand  when  Englishmen  at  Nassau  would  have  lo 
shut  up  shop. 

We  glided  along  the  shore  of  Morris  Island,  white  with 
tents.  What  heroic  valor  on  those  sands,  —  the  assault  upon 
Wagner,  the  slow,  persistent  excavation  of  the  trenches,  the 
unremitting  \igilance  and  energy,  the  endurance  which  had 
forced  the  evacuation  of  Morris  Island,  —  the  turning  of  the 
guns  of  Wagner  upon  Sumter,  the  planting  of  the  "  Swamp- 
Angel"  battery,  —  the  first  shell  sent  streaming  into  the  city, 
startling  the  inhabitants,  and  awaking  the  unpleasant  con- 
viction that  the  Yankees  were  at  their  doors !  So  memory 
ran  over  the  historic  events,  as  we  swept  up  the  channel. 

The  steamer  could  not  approach  near  the  landing,  and  we 
were  taken  to  the  fort  in  small  boats.  We  reached  the  interior 
throup:h  a  low,  narrow  passa^rc. 


1866.]  SUMTEE.  459 

The  fort  bore  little  resemblance  to  its  former  appearance, 
externally  or  internally.  None  of  the  original  face  of  the  wall 
was  to  be  seen,  except  on  the  side  towards  Charleston  and 
a  portion  of  that  facing  Moultrie.  From  the  harbor  and  from 
Wagner  it  appeared  only  a  tumulus, — the  debris  of  an  old  ruin. 
All  the  casemates,  arches,  pillars,  and  parapets  were  torn  up 
and  utterly  demolished.  The  great  guns  which  two  years  be- 
fore kept  the  monitors  at  bay,  which  flamed  and  thundered 
awliile  upon  Wagner,  were  dismounted,  broken,  and  partially 
buried  beneath  the  mountain  of  brick,  dust,  concrete,  sand,  and 
mortar.  After  Dupont's  attack,  in  April,  1863,  a  reinforce- 
ment of  palmetto-logs  was  made  on  the  harbor  side,  and  against 
half  of  the  wall  facing  Moultrie,  and  the  lower  casemates  were 
filled  with  sand-bags ;  but  when  General  Gillmore  obtained  pos- 
session of  Wagner,  his  fire  began  to  crumble  the  parapet.  The 
Rebels  endeavored  to  maintain  its  original  height  by  gabions 
filled  with  sand,  but  this  compelled  a  widening  of  the  base  in- 
side by  sand-bags,  thousands  of  which  were  brought  to  the  fort 
at  night.  Day  after  day,  week  after  week,  the  pounding  from 
Wagner  was  maintained  so  efiectually  that  it  was  impossible  to 
keep  a  gun  in  position  on  the  side  of  Sumter  fronting  it,  and 
the  only  guns  remaining  mounted  were  five  or  six  on  the  side 
towards  Moultrie,  in  the  middle  tier  of  casemates.  Five  how- 
itzers were  kept  on  the  walls  to  repel  an  attack  by  small  boats, 
the  garrison  keepmg  under  cover,  or  seeking  shelter  whenever 
the  lookout  cried,  ''  A  shot !  " 

Oheveaux^de^frise  of  pointed  sticks  protected  the  fort  from  a 
scaling  narty.  At  the  base  outside  was  a  barrier  of  interlaced 
wire,  supported  by  iron  posts.  There  was  also  a  submerged 
network  of  wire  and  chains,  kept  in  place  by  floating  buoys. 

I  had  the  curiosity  to  make  an  inspection  of  the  wall  nearest 
Moultrie,  to  see  what  had  been  the  effect  of  the  fire  of  the  iron- 
clads in  Dupont's  attack.  With  my  glass  at  that  time  I  could 
see  that  the  wall  was  badly  honeycombed  ;  a  close  inspection 
now  proved  that  the  fire  was  very  damaging.  There  were  seams 
in  the  masonry,  and  great  gashes  where  the  solid  bolts  crumbled 
the  bricks  to  dust.  It  was  evident  that  if  the  fire  had  been 
continued  any  considerable  length  of  time  the  wall  would  have 
fallen.  Its  efiect  suggested  the  necessity  of  filling  up  the  lowei 
casemates. 


460  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  [PeD. 

An  hour  was  passed  in  the  fort,  the  band  playing  national 
airs,  and  the  party  inspecting  the  ruins  and  gathering  relics. 

Captain  James  of  the  Massachusetts  Fifty-Fourth,  aide  to 
General  Gillmore,  was  wounded  in  the  assault  on  Wagner. 
He  gazed  at  the  ruins  with  a  satisfaction  not  unmixed  with  mel- 
ancholy, for  beneath  the  sands  of  Morris  Island  was  lying  his 
beloved  commander.  Colonel  Shaw. 

The  Rebels  had  refused  to  give  up  his  body.  "  Let  him  lie 
buried  beneath  his  niggers,"  was  their  answer  to  the  request. 
And  there  he  lies  beside  the  brave  men  who  followed  him  to 
death  and  glory,  having  won  an  immortal  name  no  less  as  the 
commander  of  the  first  negro  regiment  sent  to  the  war  than 
by  his  gentle  bearing  as  a  man  and  bravery  as  a  soldier.  His 
acceptance  of  the  command  of  the  despised  men  who  gladly 
enlisted  when  called  to  the  field  required  at  the  time  a  devo- 
tion to  principle  and  a  decision  of  character,  to  face  the  gibes 
and  sneers  flung  at  him  by  negro-haters  in  his  rear,  greater 
than  the  courage  to  meet  the  enemy  at  the  front.  But  he 
nobly  led  the  way,  and  silenced  every  carping  tongue. 

For  four  long  years  the  cannon  of  Sumter  had  hurled  defi- 
ance at  the  rights  of  man ;  but  the  contest  now  was  ended. 
Eternal  principles  had  prevailed  against  every  effort  of  Rebel 
hate  to  crush  them.  The  strong  earthworks  on  Sullivan's 
and  Johnson's  islands,  the  batteries  in  the  harbor,  Castle 
Pinckney  and  Fort  Ripley,  and  those  in  the  city  erected  by 
slaves,  were  useless  forever,  except  as  monuments  of  folly  and 
wickedness.  As  I  stood  there  upon  the  ruins  of  Sumter,  look- 
ing down  into  the  crater,  the  past  like  a  panorama  was  unrolled, 
exhibiting  the  mighty  events  which  will  forever  make  it  memo- 
rable. The  silent  landing  of  Major  Anderson  at  the  postern 
gate,  the  midnight  prayer  and  solemn  consecration  of  the  little 
band  to  defend  the  flag  till  the  last,  the  long  weeks  of  prepara- 
ation  by  the  Rebels,  the  Star  of  the  West  turning  her  bow  sea- 
ward, the  12th  of  April,  the  barracks  on  fire,  the  supplies  ex- 
hausted, the  hopelessness  of  success,  the  surrender,  and  all  that 
had  followed,  were  vivid  memories  of  the  moment. 

How  inspiring  to  hear  the  music  of  the  band,  to  behold  the 
numerous  vessels  of  the  fleet  decorated  from  bowsprit  to  yard- 
arm  and  topmast  with  flags  and  streamers,  to  recall  the  heroic 


1865.] 


SUMTER. 


461 


sacrifices  of  those  who  had  fought  through  the  weary  years, 
to  know  that  Sumter,  Moultrie,  the  city,  and  the  State  were 
redeemed  from  the  worst  system  of  vassalage,  that  our  country 
was  still  a  nation,  renewed  and  regenerated  by  its  baptism  of 
fire  and  blood,  that  truth  and  right  were  vindicated  before  the 
world ;  and  to  look  down  the  coming  years,  and  know  that 
Freedom  was  secured  to  all  beneath  the  folds  of  the  flag  that 
had  withstood  the  intrigues  of  cabals  and  the  shock  of  battle, 
and  that  Christianity  and  civilization,  twin  agents  of  human 
progress,  had  received  an  impetus  that  would  forever  keep  us 
in  the  van  of  nations. 

Looking  at  that  flag,  involuntarily  I  repeated  the  words  of 
the  song  which  I  heard  when  the  shadows  of  night  fell  upon 
the  gory  field  of  Antietam,  sung  by  our  wounded  in  one  of  the 
hospitals :  — 

"  Our  flag  is  there  I  our  flag  is  there  1 

We  hail  it  with  three  loud  huzzas  1 

Our  flag  is  there !  our  flag  is  there  I 

Behold  the  glorious  stripes  and  stars  I 

Stout  hearts  have  fought  for  that  bright  flag, 

Strong  hands  sustained  it  masthead  high, 

And  O,  to  see  how  proud  it  waves, 

Brings  tears  of  joy  to  every  eye  1 " 


■^'^.^-:^-^^ 


462  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Feb. 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

CHARLESTON. 

A  CITY  of  ruins,  —  silent,  mournful,  in  deepest  humiliatio 
It  was  early  morning  when  we  reached  the  wharf,  piled  with 
merchandise,  not  busy  with  commercial  activity  as  in  other 
days,  but  deserted,  its  timbers  rotting,  its  planks  decayed,  its 
sheds  tumbling  in  and  reeling  earthward.  The  slips,  once 
crowded  with  steam  and  sailing  vessels,  were  now  vacant,  ex- 
cept that  an  old  sloop  with  a  worm-eaten  gunwale,  tattered 
sails,  and  rigging  hanging  in  shreds,  alone  remained. 

A  few  fishermen's  dories  only  were  rocking  on  the  waves, 
tethered  to  the  wharves  by  rotten  ropes,  where  the  great  cotton 
Argosies  in  former  years  had  shipped  or  landed  their  cargoes. 

Before  the  sailors  had  time  to  make  fast  the  steamer,  myself 
and  friend  *  were  up  the  pier.  The  band  was  playing  "  Hail, 
Columbia,''  and  the  strains  floated  through  the  desolate  city, 
awakening  wild  enthusiasm  in  the  hearts  of  the  colored  peo- 
ple, who  came  rushing  down  the  grass-grown  streets  to  wel- 
come us. 

When  near  the  upper  end  of  the  pier  we  encountered  an  old 
man  bending  beneath  the  weight  of  seventy  years,  —  such 
years  as  slavery  alone  can  pile  upon  the  soul.  He  bowed  very 
low. 

"  Are  you  not  afraid  of  us  Yankees  ?  " 

"  No,  massa,  God  bless  you.  I  have  prayed  many  a  night 
for  you  to  come,  and  now  you  are  here.  Bless  the  Lord ! 
Bless  the  Lord !  " 

He  kneeled,  clasped  my  hand,  and  with  streaming  eyes 
poured  out  his  thanks  to  God. 

Let  us,  before  entering  upon  a  narrative  of  military  inci 
deuts,  look  at  Charleston  as  she  was  at  the  beginning  of  the 

*  James  Redpath. 


1865.]  CHARLESTON.  46r? 

Rebellion,  when  the  great  cotton  mart  of  the  Atlantic  coast, 
with  lines  of  steamships  to  New  York  and  Boston.  Then  her 
wharves  not  only  were  piled  with  bales  of  cotton  and  tierces  of 
rice,  or  with  goods  from  the  warehouses  and  manufactories  of 
New  England  and  Great  Britain,  but,  next  to  New  Orleans,  she 
was  the  most  populous  city  of  the  South,  and,  in  proportion  to 
the  number  of  inhabitants,  the  wealthiest.  Her  banks  and 
insurance  offices  were  as  stable  as  those  of  Wall  Street.  She 
aspired  to  be  the  commercial  emporium  of  the  South.  The 
newspapers  of  Charleston  taught  the  people  to  believe  that 
Secession  and  non-intercourse  with  the  North  would  make  the 
city  the  rival  of  New  York.  She  first  adopted  the  vagaries  of 
her  own  son,  Calhoun,  on  the  rights  of  States.  She  proclaimed 
cotton  king,  not  of  America,  but  of  the  world,  and  in  her  pride 
believed  that  all  nations  could  be  brought  to  do  her  homage. 
She  was  rich  and  aristocratic,  and  looked  upon  the  people  of 
the  North  with  contempt. 

"  The  Cavaliers,  Jacobites,  and  Huguenots,"  wrote  De  Bow, 
"  who  settled  the  South,  naturally  hate,  contemn,  and  despise 
the  Puritans,  who  settled  the  North.  The  former  are  master 
races ;  the  latter  a  slave  race,  descendants  of  the  Anglo-Saxon 
serfs." 

Through  ignorance  and  vanity  such  assertions  were  accepted 
as  truths.  Boys  and  girls  of  the  common  schools  of  the  North 
could  have  shown  that,  in  the  contests  between  the  Cavaliers 
and  Puritans,  the  Cavaliers  were  defeated ;  that  the  Jacobites 
went  down  before  the  party  which  placed  William  of  Orange  on 
the  throne. 

Charleston  called  the  people  of  South  Carolina  into  council. 
The  Mereury — that  able  but  wicked  advocate  of  Secession  — 
threw  out  from  its  windows  this  motto  :  "  One  voice  and  mil- 
lions of  strong  arms  to  uphold  the  honor  of  South  Carolina !  " 
Not  the  honor  of  the  nation  or  of  the  people,  but  of  South 
Carolina,  —  the  Mephistopheles  of  the  Confederacy,  the  seducer 
of  States.  With  honeyed  words,  and  well-timed  flattery  she 
detached  State  after  State  from  the  Union. 

"  Whilst  constituting  a  portion  of  the  United  States,"  said 
South  Carolina,  in  her  address  to  the  slaveholding  States,  "  it 
has  been  your  statesmanship  which  has  guided  it  in  its  mighty 


464  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Feb. 

strides  to  power  and  expansion.  In  the  field  and  in  the  cabinet 
you  have  led  the  way  to  renown  and  grandeur." 

The  ministers  of  her  churches  were  foremost  in  abetting 
the  RebeUion.  Church  and  State,  merchant  and  planter,  all 
from  high  to  low  of  the  white  population,  brought  themselves 
to  believe  that  their  influence  was  world-wide,  through  King 
Cotton  and  his  prime  minister,  African  Slavery.  Hence  the 
arrogance,  fierce  intolerance,  and  mad  hate  which  had  the'r 
only  prototypes  in  the  Rebellion  of  the  Devil  and  his  angels 
against  Beneficent  Goodness. 

The  siege  of  Charleston  was  commenced  on  the  21st  of 
August,  1863,  by  the  opening  of  the  "  Swamp-Angel"  battery. 
On  the  7th  of  September  Fort  Wagner  was  taken,  and  other 
guns  were  trained  upon  the  city,  compelling  the  evacuation 
of  the  lower  half.  For  fourteen  months  it  had  been  continued ; 
not  a  furious  bombardment,  but  a  slow,  steady  fire  from  day  to 
day.  About  thirteen  thousand  shells  had  been  thrown  into 
the  town,  —  nearly  a  thousand  a  month. 

They  were  fired  at  a  great  elevation,  and  were  plunging 
shots,  —  striking  houses  on  the  roof  and  passing  down  from 
attic  to  basement,  exploding  in  the  chambers,  cellars,  or  in 
the  walls.  The  effect  was  a  complete  riddling  of  the  houses. 
Brick  walls  were  blown  into  millions  of  fragments,  roofs  were 
torn  to  pieces ;  rafters,  beams,  braces,  scantlings,  were  splin- 
tered into  jack-straws.  Churches,  hotels,  stores,  dwellings, 
public  buildmgs,  and  stables,  all  were  shattered.  There  were 
great  holes  in  the  ground,  where  cart-loads  of  earth  had  been 
excavated  in  a  twinkling. 

In  1860  the  population  of  the  city  was  48,509,  —  26,969 
whites,  17,65.5  slaves,  and  3,885  free  colored.  The  first  flight 
from  the  city  was  in  December,  1861,  when  Port  Royal  fell  into 
the  hands  of  Dupont ;  but  when  it  was  found  that  the  oppor- 
tunity afforded  at  that  time  for  an  advance  inland  was  not 
improved,  most  of  those  who  had  moved  away  returned, 
riie  attack  of  Dupont  upon  Sumter  sent  some  flying  again ; 
but  not  till  the  messengers  of  the  "Swamp  Angel"  dropped 
among  them  did  the  inhabitants  think  seriously  of  leaving. 
Some  went  to  Augusta,  others  to  Columbia,  others  to  Cheraw. 
Many  wealthy  men  bought  homes  in  the  country.     The  upper 


1865.]  CHARLESTON.  465 

part  of  the  city  was  crowded.  Men  of  fortune  who  had  lived 
in  princely  style  were  compelled  to  put  up  with  one  room.  Des- 
olation had  been  coming  on  apace.  The  city  grew  old  rapidly, 
and  had  become  the  completest  ruin  on  the  continent.  There 
were  from  ten  to  fifteen  thousand  people  still  remaining  in  it, 
two  thirds  of  whom  were  colored. 

When  Sherman  flanked  Orangeburg,  Hardee,  who  com- 
manded the  Rebels  in  Charleston,  saw  that  he  must  evacuate 
the  place.  There  was  no  alternative ;  he  must  give  up  Sumter, 
Moultrie,  and  the  proud  old  city  to  the  Yankees.  It  was 
bitter  as  death !  A  few  of  the  heavy  guns  were  sent  off  to 
North  Carolina,  all  the  trains  which  could  be  run  on  the  rail- 
road were  loaded  with  ammimition  and  commissary  supplies, 
the  guns  in  the  forts  were  spiked,  and  the  troops  withdrawn. 

The  inhabitants  had  been  assured  that  the  place  should  bo 
defended  to  the  last;  and  in  the  Courier  office  we  found  the 
following  sentence  in  type,  which  had  been  set  up  not  twenty- 
four  hours  before  the  evacuation :  "  There  are  no  indications 
that  our  authorities  have  the  first  intention  of  abandoning 
Charleston,  as  I  have  ascertained  from  careful  inquiry !  "  Du- 
plicity to  the  end. 

The  Rebellion  was  inaugurated  through  deception,  and  had 
been  sustained  by  an  utter  disregard  of  truth. 

Friday  and  Saturday  were  terrible  days.  Carts,  carriages, 
wagons,  horses,  mules,  all  were  brought  into  use.  The  rail- 
road trains  were  crowded.  Men,  women,  and  children  fled, 
terror-stricken,  broken-hearted,  humbled  in  spirit,  from  their 
homes.  How  different  from  the  12th  of  April,  1861,  when 
they  stood  upon  the  esplanade  of  the  battery,  sat  upon  the 
house-tops,  clustered  in  the  steeples,  looking  seaward,  shouting 
and  waving  their  handkerchiefs  as  the  clouds  of  smoke  and 
forked  flames  rolled  up  from  Sumter ! 

"  God  don't  pay  at  the  end  of  every  week,  but  he  pays  at  last, 
my  Lord  Cardinal,"  said  Anne  of  Austria. 

General  Hardee  remained  in  the  city  till  Friday  night,  the 
17th  instant,  when  he  retired  with  the  army,  leaving  a  de- 
tachment of  cavalry  to  destroy  what  he  could  not  remove. 
Every  building  and  shed  in  which  cotton  had  been  stored  was 
fired  on  Saturday  morning.     The  ironclads  "  Palmetto  State,'* 

30 


4^6  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Feb 

"  Chicora,"  and  "  Charleston  "  were  also  given  to  the  flames. 
They  lay  at  the  wharves,  and  had  each  large  quantities  of  pow- 
der and  shell  on  board.  General  Hardee  knew  that  the  explo- 
oions  of  the  magazines  would  send  a  storm  of  fire  upon  the 
city.  He  knew  it  would  endanger  the  lives  of  thousands  ;  but 
what  cared  he  ?  Governor  McGrath  called  upon  the  people  to 
destroy  their  houses.  The  newspapers  pointed  to  Moscow  as  a 
sublime  instance  of  heroic  devotion.  Human  life,  the  wailing 
of  infants,  the  feebleness  of  old  age,  weighed  nothing  with 
Hampton,  Hardee,  McGrath,  General  Lee,  or  Jeff  Davis. 

The  torch  was  applied  early  on  the  morning  of  the  18th.  The 
citizens  sprang  to  the  fire-engines  and  succeeded  in  extinguish- 
ing the  flames  in  several  places ;  but  in  other  parts  of  the  city 
the  fire  had  its  own  way,  burning  till  there  was  nothing  more 
to  devour.  On  the  wharf  of  the  Savannah  Railroad  depot  were 
several  hundred  bales  of  cotton  and  several  thousand  bushels 
of  rice.  On  Lucas  Street,  in  a  shed,  were  twelve  hundred  bales 
of  cotton.  There  were  numerous  other  sheds  all  filled.  Near 
by  was  the  Lucas  mill,  containing  thirty  thousand  bushels  of 
rice,  and  Walker's  warehouse,  with  a  large  amount  of  com- 
missary stores,  all  of  which  were  licked  up  by  the  fire  so  re- 
morselessly kindled. 

At  the  Northeastern  Railroad  depot  there  was  an  immense 
amount  of  cotton  which  was  fired.  The  depot  was  full  of  com- 
missary supplies  and  ammunition,  powder  in  kegs,  shells,  and 
cartridges.  The  people  rushed  in  to  obtain  the  supplies.  Sev- 
eral hundred  men,  women,  and  children  were  in  the  building 
when  the  flames  reached  the  ammunition  and  the  fearful  explo- 
sion took  place,  lifting  up  the  roof  and  bursting  out  the  walls, 
and  scattering  bricks,  timbers,  tiles,  beams,  through  the  air ; 
shells  crashed  through  the  panic-stricken  crowd,  followed  by 
the  shrieks  and  groans  of  the  mangled  victims  lying  helpless  in 
the  flames,  burning  to  cinders  in  the  all-devouring  element. 
Nor  was  this  all.  At  the  wharves  were  the  ironclads,  burning, 
torn,  rent,  scattered  over  the  water  and  land,  —  their  shells  and 
solid  shot,  iron  braces,  red-hot  iron  plates,  falling  in  an  infernal 
shower,  firing  the  wharves,  the  buildings^  and  all  that  could 
burn. 

There  was  more  than  this.    Two  magnificent  Blakely  guns — 


1865.|  CHAKLESTON.  467 

one  at  the  battery,  the  other  near  the  gas-works  on  Cooper 
River — were  loaded  to  the  muzzle  and  trams  laid  to  burst 
them.  The  concussion  shattered  all  the  houses  in  the  immediate 
vicinity. 

The  buildings  near  the  Northeastern  depot  were  swept  away. 
All  the  houses  embraced  in  the  area  of  four  squares  disappeared. 
The  new  bridge  leading  to  James  Island  was  destroyed,  the  fire 
eating  its  way  slowly  from  pier  to  pier  through  the  day.  The 
citizens  did  their  utmost  to  stay  the  flames,  but  from  sunrise 
to  sunset  on  Saturday,  all  through  Saturday  night,  Sunday,  and 
Monday,  the  fire  burned.  How  fearful  this  retribution  for 
crime !  Abandoned  by  those  who  had  cajoled  and  deceived 
them,  who  had  brought  about  their  calamity,  while  swearing 
to  defend  them  to  the  last,  humbled,  reduced  from  aflluence  to 
poverty,  the  people  of  Charleston  were  compelled  to  endure  the 
indescribable  agony  of  those  days. 

Colonel  Bennett,  commanding  the  Twenty-First  United  States 
Colored  Troops  on  Morris  Island,  seeing  signs  of  evacuation  on 
Saturday  morning,  the  18th,  hastened  up  tlie  harbor  in  boats 
with  his  regiment,  landing  at  the  South  Atlantic  wharf. 

"  In  the  name  of  the  United  States  government,"  was  his 
note  to  the  Mayor,  "  I  demand  the  surrender  of  the  city  of 
which  you  are  the  executive  ofiicer.  Until  further  orders,  aU 
citizens  will  remain  in  their  houses.'' 

The  mayor,  meanwhile,  had  despatched  a  deputation  to  Mor- 
ris Island  with  formal  intelligence  of  the  evacuation. 

"  My  command,"  wrote  Colonel  Bennett,  "  will  render  every 
possible  assistance  to  your  well-disposed  citizens  in  extinguish- 
ing the  flames." 

The  Twenty-First  United  States  Colored  Troops  was  made  up 
of  the  old  Third  and  Fourth  South  Carolina  regiments,  and 
many  of  them  were  formerly  slaves  in  the  city  of  Charleston. 
They  were  enlisted  at  a  time  when  public  sentiment  was  against 
them,  in  the  winter  of  1862-63.  I  was  at  Port  Royal  then, 
and  they  were  employed  in  the  quartermaster's  department. 
They  were  sneered  at  and  abused  by  ofiicers  and  men  belonging 
to  white  regiments;  but  Colonel  Bennett  continued  steadfast 
in  his  determination,  obtained  arms  after  a  long  struggle,  in 
which  he  was  seconded  by  Colonel  Littlefield,  Inspector-General 


468  THE   BOYS   OF  '61.  [Feb. 

of  colored  troops  in  the  department.  Colonel  Bennett  had 
organized  four  companies  of  the  Third  and  Colonel  Littlefield 
four  companies  of  the  Fourth.  The  two  commands  were  united 
and  numbered  as  the  Twenty-First  United  States  Colored 
Troops.  They  went  to  Morris  Island  in  1863,  took  part  in  two 
or  three  engagements,  and  proved  themselves  good  soldiers  of 
the  Union.  It  was  their  high  privilege  to  be  first  in  the  city. 
The  stone  which  the  builders  rejected  once  in  the  history  of  the 
world  became  the  head  stone  of  the  corner ;  and  in  like  man- 
ner the  poor,  despised,  rejected  African  race,  which  had  no 
rights,  against  whom  the  city  of  Charleston  plotted  iniquity 
and  inaugurated  treason,  marched  into  the  city  to  save  it 
from  destruction  !  Following  the  Twenty-First  was  a  detach- 
ment of  the  Fifty-Fourth  Massachusetts. 

"  Let  him  lie  buried  beneath  his  niggers  !  "  Stung  by  the 
insult  to  the  memory  of  their  lamented  commander  and  by  the 
sneer  at  themselves,  will  they  not  now  wreak  their  vengeance 
on  the  ill-fated  city  ?  It  is  their  hour  for  retaliation.  But 
they  harbor  in  their  hearts  no  malice  or  revenge.  Conscious 
of  their  manhood,  they  are  glad  of  another  opportunity  of 
showincT  it. 

The  soldiers  of  the  Fifty-Fourth  have  proved  their  prowess 
on  the  field  of  battle ;  they  have  met  the  chivalry  of  South 
Carolina  face  to  face,  and  shown  their  equalit}^  in  courage  and 
heroism,  and  on  this  ever-memorable  day  they  make  manifest 
to  the  world  their  superiority  in  honor  and  humanity. 

Let  the  painter  picture  it.  Let  the  poet  rehearse  it.  With 
the  old  flag  above  them,  keeping  step  to  freedom's  drum-beat,  up 
the  grass-grown  streets,  past  the  slave-marts  where  their  fami- 
lies and  themselves  have  been  sold  in  the  public  shambles, 
laying  aside  their  arms,  working  the  fire-engines  to  extinguish 
the  flames,  and,  in  the  spirit  of  the  Redeemer  of  men,  saving 
til  at  which  was  lost. 

*'  It  was  the  intention  of  some  of  our  officers  to  destroy  the 
city,"  said  one  of  the  citizens  ;  "  they  not  only  set  it  on  fire, 
but  they  double-shotted  the  guns  of  the  iron-clads,  and  turned 
them  upon  the  town,  but  fortunately  no  one  was  injured  when 
they  exploded." 

The  lower  half  of  the  city  was  called  Gillmore's  town  by 
the  inhabitants. 


1865.]  CHABLESTON.  46tf 

We  visited  the  old  office  of  the  Mercury^  in  Broad  Street.  A 
messenger  sent  by  the  "  Swamp  Angel  *'  had  preceded  us,  en- 
tering the  roof,  exploding  within  the  chinmey,  dumping  severa? 
cart-loads  of  brickbats  and  soot  into  the  editorial  room,  break- 
ing the  windows  and  splintering  the  doors.  It  was  the  room  in 
which  Secession  had  its  incubation.  The  leading  rebellious 
spirits  once  sat  there  in  their  arm-chairs  and  enthroned  King 
Cotton.  They  demanded  homage  to  his  majesty  from  all  na- 
tions. The  first  shell  sent  the  Mercury  up  town  to  a  safer 
locality,  but  when  Sherman  began  his  march  into  the  interior, 
the  Mercury  fled  into  the  country  to  Cheraw,  right  into  hit 
line  of  advance ! 

The  Courier  office  in  Bay  Street  had  not  escaped  damage. 
A  shell  went  down  through  the  floors,  ripping  up  the  boards, 
jarring  the  plaster  from  the  walls,  and  exploded  in  the  second 
story,  rattling  all  the  tiles  from  the  roof,  bursting  out  the 
windows,  smashing  the  composing-stone,  opening  the  whole 
building  to  the  winds.  Another  shell  had  dashed  the  sidewalk 
to  pieces  and  blown  a  passage  into  the  cellar,  wide  enough  to 
admit  a  six-horse  wagon.  Near  the  Courier  office  wore  the 
Union  Bank,  Farmers'  and  Exchange  Bank,  and  Charleston 
Bank,  costly  buildings,  fitted  up  with  marble  mantels,  floors 
of  terra-cotta  tiles,  counters  elaborate  in  carved  work,  and  with 
gorgeous  frescoing  on  the  walls.  There,  five  years  ago,  the 
merchants  of  the  city,  the  planters  of  the  country,  the  slave- 
traders,  assembled  on  exchange,  talked  treason,  and  indulged 
in  extravagant  day-dreams  of  tlic  future  glory  of  Charleston. 

The  rooms  were  silent  now,  the  oaken  doors  splintered,  the 
frescoing  washed  from  the  walls  by  the  rains  which  dripped  from 
the  shattered  roof ;  the  desks  were  kindling-wood,  the  highly- 
wrought  cornice-work  had  dropped  to  the  ground,  the  tiles  were 
ploughed  up,  tlie  marble  mantles  shivered,  the  beautiful  plate- 
glass  of  the  windows  was  in  fragments  upon  the  floor.  The 
banks  helped  on  the  Rebellion,  —  contributed  their  funds  to 
inaugurate  it,  and  invested  largely  in  the  State  securities  to 
place  the  State  on  a  war  footing.  The  three  banks  named 
held  on  January  6, 1862,  six  hundred  and  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars' worth  of  the  seven  per  cent  State  stock,  issued  under  the 
act  of  December,  1861. 


470  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Feb. 

The  entire  amount  of  the  State  loan  of  one  million  eight 
hundred  thousand  dollars  issued  under  that  act  was  taken  b;^ 
the  banks  of  the  State.  Every  bank  with  the  exception  of  the 
Bank  of  Camden  and  tlie  Commercial  Bank  of  Columbia 
subscribed  to  the  stock.  Tlie  seven  Charleston  banks  at  this 
early  stage  of  the  war  had  loaned  the  State  permanently 
eleven  hundred  and  forty-two  thousand  dollars.* 

At  this  period  of  the  war  the  State  had  twenty-seven  thousand 
three  hundred  and  sixty-two  troops  t  in  the  field,  out  of  awbite 
population  of  two  hundred  and  uuiety-ono  thousand,  by  the 
census  of  1860,  —  nearly  one  half  of  the  voting  population, 
so  fiercely  burned  the  fires  of  Secession.  But  the  flames  liad 
reached  tlieir  whitest  heat.  Even  at  that  time  the  people  had 
grown  weary  of  the  war,  and  refused  to  enlist. 

"  The  activity  and  energy  had  been  already  abstracted," 
writes  the  chief  of  the  Military  Department  of  the  State; 
"  they  had  stricken  at  the  sovereignty  of  the  State ;  ignorance, 
indolence,  selfishness,  disaffection,  and  to  some  extent  disap- 
pointed ambition,  were  combined  and  made  unwittingly  to  aid 
and  abet  the  enemy,  and  to  become  the  coadjutors  of  Lincoln 
and  all  the  hosts  of  abolition  myrmidons/'  J 

Passing  from  the  banks  to  the  hotels,  we  found  a  like  scene 
of  destruction.  The  doors  of  the  Mills  House  were  open.  The 
windows  had  lost  their  glazing  and  were  boarded  up.  Sixteen 
shots  had  struck  the  building.  Tlie  rooms  where  Secession  had 
been  rampant  in  the  beginning,  where  bottles  of  wine  had  been 
drunk  over  the  fall  of  Sumter,  echoed  only  to  our  footsteps. 
The  Charleston  Hotel,  where  Governor  Pickens  had  uttered  his 
proud,  exultant,  defiant  words,  was  pierced  in  many  places. 
Dining-halls,  parlors,  and  chambers  had  been  visited  by  mes- 
eengers  from  Wagner.  I  gathered  strawberry  flowers  and 
dandelions  from  the  grass-green  pavement  in  front  of  the  hotel, 
trodden  by  the  drunken  multitude  on  that  night  when  the  flag 
of  the  Union  was  humbled  in  the  dust. 

No  wild,  tumultuous  shoutings  now,  but  silence  deep,  pain- 

*  Report  of  Treasurer  and  Finance,  South  Carolina,  1862. 
t  Report  of  James  Chestnut,  Chief  Military  Department,  South  Carolina,  Jan- 
i&ry  1,  1862,  p.  47. 
t  Ibid.,  p.  24. 


1865.]  CHAKLESTON.  471 

fill,  sorrowful.  Our  own  voices  only  echoed  along  the  corridors 
and  balconies  where  surged  the  lunatics  of  that  hour.  We 
passed  at  will  along  the  streets,  wanderers  in  a  desolate  city. 
Along  the  Battery,  a  beautiful  promenade  of  the  city,  sliaded 
by  magnolias,  and  fragrant  with  the  bloom  of  roses  and  syrin 
gas,  overlooking  the  harbor,  stood  the  residences  of  the  "  chiv- 
alric  "  men  of  South  Carolina.  From  their  balconies  and  win- 
dows the  occupants  had  watched  the  first  bombardment  of 
Sumter.  They  had  seen  with  joyful  eyes  the  flames  lick  up 
the  barracks,  and  the  lowering  of  the  flag  of  the  Union.  But 
now  their  palatial  homes  were  wrecks,  and  they  were  fugitives. 
Doorless  and  windowless  the  houses.  The  elaborate  centre  pie- 
ces of  stucco-work  in  the  drawing-rooms  crumbled ;  the  bed- 
rooms filled  with  bricks,  the  white  marble  steps  and  mahogany 
balusters  shattered ;  owls  and  bats  might  build  their  nests  in 
the  coming  spring-time  undisturbed  in  the  deserted  mansions 
the  esplanade  of  the  Battery,  the  pleasure-ground  of  the  Charles- 
tonians,  their  delight  and  pride,  was  now  merely  a  huge  em- 
bankment of  earth,  —  a  magazine  of  shot  and  shell. 

The  churches  —  where  slavery  had  been  preached  as  a  mis 
sionary  institution,  where  Secession  had  been  prayed  for,  where 
Te  Deums  had  been  sung  over  the  fall  of  Sumter  and  hosannas 
shouted  for  the  great  victory  of  Manassas  —  were,  like  the 
houses,  wrecks.  The  pavements  were  strewn  with  the  glass 
shattered  from  the  windows  of  old  St.  Michael's,  the  pride  and 
reverence  of  Charleston ;  and  St.  Philip's,  where  worshipped  the 
rich  men,  where  the  great  apostle  of  Secession  and  devotee 
of  slavery,  Calhoun,  lies  in  his  narrow  cell,  resembled  an  an- 
cient ruin.  His  grave,  marked  by  a  white  marble  slab,  was 
unharmed,  but  the  bones  of  his  fellow-sleepers  had  been  dis- 
turbed by  the  shells.  The  yard  was  overrun  with  weeds  and 
briers.  Bombs  had  torn  through  the  church.  Pigeons  had  free 
access.    Buzzards  might  roost  there  undisturbed. 

In  1861  the  heart  of  the  city  was  burned  out  by  a  great  firo, 
which  swept  from  the  Cooper  River  to  the  Ashley.  How  it 
ignited  no  one  has  told.  The  colored  people  are  fully  imbued 
with  the  belief  that  it  was  sent  of  the  Lord.  No  attempt  had 
been  made  to  rebuild  the  waste.  All  the  energy  of  the  people 
had  been  given  to  prosecuting  the  war.  There  had  been  no 
sound  of  trowel,  hammer,  or  saw,  except  upon  the  ironclads. 


472  THE  BOYS  OF  '61  [Feb. 

The  blackened  area  was  overgrown  with  firo-weeds.  Lean 
and  hungry  curs  barked  at  us  from  the  tenantless  houses.  Cats 
which  once  purred  by  pleasant  firesides  ran  from  their  old 
haunts  at  our  approach.  The  rats  had  des(jrted  the  wharves 
and  moved  up  town  with  the  people.  The  buzzards,  which  once 
picked  up  the  garbage  of  the  markets,  had  disappeared.  A 
solitary  rook  cawed  to  us,  perched  on  the  vane  of  the  court- 
house steeple.  Spiders  were  spinning  their  webs  in  the  count- 
ing-houses. 

It  was  an  indescribable  scene  of  desolation,  —  of  roofless 
houses,  cannon-battered  walls,  crumbling  ruins,  upheaved  pave- 
ment, and  grass-grown  streets  ;  silent  to  all  sounds  of  business, 
voiceless  only  to  a  few  haggard  men  and  women  wandering 
amid  the  ruins,  reflecting  upon  a  jubilant  past,  a  disappointed 
present,  and  a  hopeless  future ! 

"  Her  merchants  were  the  great  men  of  the  earth ;  for  by 
their  sorceries  were  all  nations  deceived.  And  in  her  was  found 
the  blood  of  the  prophets  and  of  the  saints." 

Charleston  was  one  of  the  great  slave-marts  of  the  South. 
She  was  the  boldest  advocate  for  the  reopening  of  the  slave- 
trade.  Her  statesmen  legislated  for  it ;  her  ministers  of  the 
Gospel  upheld  it  as  the  best  means  for  Chi:istianizing  Africa  and 
for  the  ultimate  benefit  of  the  whole  human  race.  Being  thus 
sustained,  the  slave-traders  set  up  their  auction-block  in  no  out- 
of-the-way  place.  A  score  of  men  opened  offices  and  dealt  in 
the  bodies  and  souls  of  men.  Among  them  were  T.  Ryan  &  Son, 
M.  M.  McBride,  J.  E.  Bowers,  J.  B.  Oaks,  J.  B.  Baker,  Wflbur 
&  Son,  on  State  and  Chalmers  Streets.  Twenty  paces  distant 
from  Baker's  was  a  building  bearing  the  sign,  "Theological 
Library,  Protestant  Episcopal  Church."  Standing  by  Baker's 
door,  and  looking  up  Chalmers  Street  to  King  Street,  I  read 
another  sign,  "  Sunday-School  Depository."  Also,  "  Hibernian 
Hall,"  the  building  in  which  the  ordinance  of  Secession  was 
signed.  In  another  building  on  the  opposite  corner  was  the 
Registry  of  Deeds.  Near  by  was  the  guard-house  with  its 
grated  windows,  its  iron  bars  being  an  appropriate  design  of 
double-edged  swords  and  spears.  Thousands  of  slaves  had  been 
incarcerated  there  for  no  crime  whatever,  except  for  being  out 
after  nine  o'clock,  or  for  meeting  in  some  secret  chamber  to  tell 


1865  ]  CHABLESTON.  473 

G^od  their  wrongs,  with  no  white  man  present.  They  disobeyed 
the  law  by  not  listening  to  the  bell  of  old  St.  Michaers,  which 
at  half  past  eight  in  the  evening,  in  its  high  and  venerable 
tower,  opened  its  trembling  lips  and  shouted,  "  Get  you  home ! 
Get  you  home !  "  Always  that ;  always  of  command ;  always 
of  arrogance,  superiority,  and  caste ;  never  of  love,  good-will, 
and  fellowship.  On  Sunday  morning  it  said,  "  Come  and  sit 
in  your  old-fashioned,  velvet-cushioned  pews,  you  rich  ones! 
Go  up  stairs,  you  niggers !  " 

The  guard-house  doors  were  wide  open.  The  jailer  had  lost 
his  occupation.  The  last  slave  had  been  immured  within 
its  walls,  and  St.  MichaePs  curfew  was  to  be  sweetest  music 
thenceforth  and  forever.  It  shall  ring  the  glad  chimes  of  free- 
dom, —  freedom  to  come,  to  go,  or  to  tarry  by  the  way ;  free- 
dom from  sad  partings  of  wife  and  husband,  father  and  son, 
mother  and  child. 

The  brokers  in  flesh  and  olood  took  good  care  to  be  well  but- 
tressed. They  set  up  their  market  in  a  reputable  quarter, 
with  St.  Michael's  and  the  guard-house,  the  Registry  of  Deeds 
and  the  Sunday-School  Depository,  the  Court-House  and  the 
Theological  Library  around  them  to  make  their  calling  re- 
spectable. 

But  the  "  Swamp  Angel "  had  splintered  the  pews  of  St. 
Michaers,  demolished  the  pulpit,  and  made  a  record  of  its 
doings  in  the  Registry  building.  At  one  stroke  it  opened  the 
entire  front  of  the  Sunday-School  Depository  to  the  light  of 
heaven.  There  was  also  a  mass  of  evidence  in  the  court- 
room —  several  cart-loads  of  brick  and  plaster,  introduced  by 
General  Gillmore  —  against  the  right  of  a  State  to  secede. 

I  entered  the  Theological  Library  building  through  a  window 
from  which  General  Gillmore  had  removed  the  sash  by  a  solid 
shot.  A  pile  of  old  rubbish  lay  upon  the  floor,  —  sermons, 
tracts,  magazines,  books,  papers,  musty  and  mouldy,  turning 
into  pulp  beneath  the  rain-drops  which  came  down  through 
the  shattered  roof. 

Amid  these  surroundings  was  the  Slave-Mart,  —  a  building 
with  a  large  iron  gate  in  front,  above  which,  in  large  gilt  letters, 
was  the  word  MART. 

The  outer  iron  gate  opened  into  a  hall  about  sixty  feet  long 


474  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Feb. 

by  twenty  broad,  flanked  on  one  side  by  a  long  table  running 
tbe  entire  length  of  the  hall,  and  on  the  other  by  benches.  Ai 
the  farther  end  a  door,  opening  through  a  brick  wall,  gave 
entrance  to  a  yard.  The  door  was  locked.  I  tried  my  boot 
heel,  but  it  would  not  yield.  I  called  a  freedman  to  my  aid. 
Unitedly  we  took  up  a  great  stone,  and  gave  a  blow.  Another, 
and  the  door  of  the  Bastile  went  into  splinters.  Across  the 
yard  was  a  four-story  brick  building,  with  grated  windows  and 
iron  doors, — a  prison.  The  yard  was  walled  by  high  buildings. 
He  who  entered  there  left  all  hope  behind.  A  small  room 
adjoining  the  hall  was  the  place  where  women  were  subjected 
to  the  lascivious  gaze  of  brutal  men.  There  were  the  steps, 
up  which  thousands  of  men,  women,  and  children  had  walked 
to  their  places  on  the  table,  to  be  knocked  off  to  the  highest 
bidder.  The  thought  occurred  to  me  that  perhaps  Governor 
Andrew,  or  Wendell  Phillips,  or  William  Lloyd  Garrison 
would  like  to  make  a  speech  from  those  steps.  I  determined 
to  secure  them.  While  there  a  colored  woman  came  into  the 
hall  to  see  the  two  Yankees. 

"  1  was  sold  there  upon  that  table  two  years  ago,"  said  she. 

"  You  never  will  be  sold  again  ;  you  are  free  now  and  foi^ 
ever!"  I  replied. 

"  Thank  God !  0  the  blessed  Jesus,  he  has  heard  my  prayer. 
I  am  so  glad  ;  only  I  wish  I  could  see  my  husband.  He  was 
sold  at  the  same  time  mto  the  country,  and  has  gone  I  don't 
know  where." 

Thus  spake  Dinah  More. 

In  front  of  the  mart  was  a  gilt  star.  I  climbed  the  post  and 
wrenched  it  from  its  spike  to  secure  it  as  a  trophy.  A  freed- 
man took  down  the  gilt  letters  for  me,  and  knocked  off  the 
great  lock  from  the  outer  iron  gate,  and  the  smaller  lock  from 
the  inner  door.  The  key  of  the  French  Bastile  hangs  at  Mount 
Vernon  ;  and  as  relics  of  the  American  prison-house  then  be- 
ing broken  up,  I  secured  these. 

Entering  the  brokers'  offices,  —  prisons  rather,  —  we  walked 
along  the  grated  corridors,  looked  into  the  rooms  where  the 
slaves  had  been  kept.  In  the  cellar  was  the  dungeon  for  the 
refractory, — bolts  and  staples  in  the  floors,  manacles  for  the 
hands  and  feet,  chains  to  make  all  sure.     There  had  evidently 


1865.]  CHARLESTON.  476 

been  a  sudden  CTacuation  of  the  premises.     Books,  letters,  bills 
of  sale,  were  lying  on  the  floor. 

Let  us  take  our  last  look  of  the  Divine  missionary  institu 
tion.     Thus  writes  James  H.  Whiteside  to  Z.  B.  Oakes :  — 

"  I  know  of  five  very  likely  young  negroes  for  sale.  They  are  held 
at  high  prices,  but  I  know  the  owner  is  compelled  to  sell  next  week, 
and  they  may  be  bouglit  low  enough  so  as  to  pay.  Four  of  the  negroes 
are  young  men,  about  twenty  years  old,  and  the  other  a  very  hkely 
young  woman  about  twenty-two.  T  have  never  stripped  them,  but 
they  seem  to  be  all  right." 

C.  A.  Merrill  writes  from  Franklin :  — 

"  If  I  can  I  will  come  and  buy  some  of  your  fancy  girls  and  other 
negroes,  if  I  can  get  them  at  a  discount." 

A.  J.  McElveen  writes  from  Sumterville  :  — 

"  I  send  a  woman,  age  twenty-two.  She  leaves  two  children,  and 
her  owner  will  not  let  her  have  them.  She  will  run  away.  I  pay  for 
her  in  notes,  $  650.  She  is  a  house  woman,  handy  with  the  needle,  in 
fact  she  does  nothing  but  sew  and  knit,  and  attend  to  house  business." 

Another  letter  from  the  same :  — 

"  I  met  a  man  who  offered  me  four  negroes,  —  one  woman  and  three 
girls,  all  likely  and  fine  size  for  the  ages,  —  thirty-six,  thirteen,  twelve, 
and  nine.  The  two  oldest  girls  are  the  same  size ;  all  right  as  to  teeth 
and  person." 

I  cannot  transfer  to  these   pages  what  follows ;   decency 
forbids. 
Thomas  Otey  writes  from  Richmond :  — 

"  This  market  is  fine.  They  are  selling  from  twenty-five  to  fifty  per 
day,  and  at  fine  prices.  A  yellow  girl  sold  this  morning  for  $1,820. 
No  qualifications ;  black  ones  at  $1,150  ;  men  at  $1,400.  Small  ones 
in  the  ratio." 

There  was  no  longer  a  manifestation  of  lordly  insolence 
and  assumed  superiority  over  the  Yankees  on  the  part  of 
the  whites.  They  spoke  respectfully,  but  were  reticent  except 
when  questioned.  Once  they  asked  questions  of  Yankees : 
"  What  is  your  occupation  ?  What  brought  you  to  the  South? 
What  are  you  doing  here  ?  I  believe  you  are  a  Abo- 
litionist, and  the  quicker  you  get  out  of  this  town  the  bet- 
ter."    Such  was  formerly  their  language.     So  they  talked  to 


476  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Feb, 

Judge  Hoar,  a  citizen  of  Massachusetts.      So  they  talked  to 
Colonel  Woodford  in  1860. 

In  1860,  in  the  month  of  December,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Woodford,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Seventh  New 
Fork  volunteers,  was  in  Charleston  on  business.  He  was 
waited  on  one  day  by  a  committee  of  citizens  and  informed 
that  he  had  better  leave  the  city,  inasmuch  as  he  was  a  North 
erner,  and  besides  was  suspected  of  being  an  Abolitionist.  Bo 
was  put  on  board  a  steamer,  and  compelled  to  go  Nortli. 
He  was  now  Provost  Marshal  of  the  Department.  On  the 
morning  of  the  20th  he  visited  the  office  of  the  Charleston 
Courier.  The  editors  had  fled  the  city,  but  the  business  man 
of  the  establishment  remained  to  protect  it.  Colonel  Wood- 
ford was  received  very  graciously.  The  following  conversar 
tion  passed  between  them :  — 

Colonel  W.    "  Whom  have  I  the  pleasure  of  addi-ossing  ?  " 

Business  man.  "Mr.  L ,  sir." 

Col.  W.  **  Will  you  do  me  the  favor  to  loan  mo  u  piece  of 
paper  ?  " 

Mr.  L.    "  Certainly,  certainly,  sir." 

Col.  W.    "  Shall  I  also  trouble  you  for  a  pen  and  ink  ?  " 

Mr.  L.    "  With  pleasure,  sir." 

The  ink  was  muddy  and  the  pen  poor,  but  the  business  man, 
with  great  alacrity,  obtained  another  bottle  and  a  better  pen. 
Colonel  W.  commenced  writing  again:  — 

"  Office  Provost  Marshal, 
Charleston,  February  20,  1865. 
"Special  Order,  No.  I. 

"  The  Charleston  Courier  establishment  is  hereby  taken  possession 
of  by  the  United  States." 

Mr.  L.  had  been  overlooking  the  writing,  forgetful  of  cour- 
tesy in  his  curiosity.     He  could  hold  in  no  longer. 

"  Colonel,  surely  you  don't  mean  to  confiscate  my  property  ! 
Why^  I  opposed  nullification  in  1830  I  " 

"  That  may  be,  sir,  but  you  have  done  what  you  could  to 
oppose  the  United  States  since  1860.  If  you  will  show  me  by 
your  files  that  you  have  uttered  one  loyal  word  since  Jaimary 
I,  1865,  I  will  take  your  case  into  consideration." 

He  could  not,  and  the  Courier  passed  into  other  hands. 

The  rich  men  of  the  city  —  tliose  who  liad  begun  and  sua- 


1866.]  CHAKLESTON.  477 

tained  the  Rebellion  —  fled  when  they  saw  that  the  place  was 
to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Yankees.  But  how  bitter  the 
numiliation !  On  the  Sunday  preceding,  Rev.  Dr.  Porter,  of 
the  Church  of  the  Holy  Communion,  preached  upon  the  duty 
of  fighting  the  Yankees  to  the  last.  "  Fight !  fight,  my  friends, 
till  the  streets  run  blood !  Perisli  in  tlie  last  ditch  rather  than 
permit  the  enemy  to  obtain  possession  of  your  homes !  " 

But  on  Monday  morning  Dr.  Porter  was  hastening  to  Ch^ 
raw,  to  avoid  being  caught  in  Sherman's  trap.  The  people  of 
Charleston  expected  that  Sherman  would  swing  round  upon 
Branchville,  and  come  into  the  city,  and  therefore  liastened  to 
Columbia,  Cheraw,  and  other  northern  towns  of  the  interior, 
where  not  a  few  of  them  became  acquainted  with  the  "  Bum- 
mers." 

Rev.  Dr.  Porter  owned  a  fine  residence,  which  he  turned 
over  to  an  English  lady.  As  there  were  no  hotel  accommodar 
tions,  my  friend  and  I  were  obliged  to  find  private  lodgings, 
and  were  directed  to  the  house  of  the  Rev.  Doctor.     We  were 

courteously  received  by  Mrs. ,  a  lady  in  middle  life,  still 

wearing  the  bloom  of  old  England  on  her  cheeks,  although 
several  years  a  resident  of  the  sunny  South.  Rising  early  in 
the  morning,  for  a  stroll  through  the  city  before  breakfast,  I 
found  the  cook  and  chambermaid  breaking  out  in  boisterous 
laughter.  The  cook  danced,  clapped  her  hands,  sat  down  in  a 
chair,  and  reeled  backward  and  forward  in  unrestrained  ecstasy. 

"  What  pleases  you.  Aunty  ? "  I  asked. 

"  0  massa !  I 's  tickled  to  tink  dat  massa  Dr.  Porter,  who 
said  dat  no  Yankee  eber  would  set  his  foot  in  dis  yar  city,  had 
to  cut  for  his  life,  and  dat  a  Yankee  slept  in  his  bed  last  night ! 
Bless  de  Lord  for  dat !  " 

The  white  women  manifested  their  hatred  to  the  bitter  end. 

"  I  '11  set  fire  to  my  house  before  the  Yankees  shall  have 
possession  of  the  city ! "  was  the  exclamation  of  one  excited 
lady,  when  it  was  whispered  that  the  place  was  to  be  evacu- 
ated ;  but  her  Rebel  friends  saved  her  the  trouble  by  applying 
the  torch  themselves. 

The  colored  people  looked  upon  the  Yankees  as  their  deliv- 
erers" from  bondage.  They  spoke  of  their  coming  as  the  advent 
of  the  Messiah.     Passing  along  King  Street,  near  the  citadel, 


478  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Feb 

with  my  fcllow-correspondcnt,  we  met  an  old  negress  with  a 
basket  on  her  arm,  a  broad-brimmed  straw  hat  on  her  heaa, 
wearing  a  brown   dress   and  roundabout.      She  saw  that  we 
were  Yankees,  and  made  a  profound  courtesy. 
'  "  How  do  you  do,  Aunty  ?  " 

"  0  bless  de  Lord,  I 's  very  well,  tank  you,"  grasping  my 
hand,  and  dancing  for  joy.  "  I  am  sixty-nine  years  old,  but 
r  feel  as  if  I  wan*t  but  sixteen."     She  broke  into  a  chant  — 

"  Ye  *s  long  been  a-comin, 

Ye  *s  long  been  a-comin, 

Ye 's  long  been  a-comin, 

For  to  take  de  land 

"  And  now  ye 's  a-comin. 
And  now  ye  's  a-comin, 
And  now  ye  's  a-comin, 
For  to  rule  de  land." 

And  then,  clapping  her  hands,  said,  "  Bless  de  Lord !  Bless  de 
dear  Jesus ! " 

"  Then  you  are  glad  the  Yankees  are  here  ?  " 

"  0  chile !  I  can't  bress  de  Lord  enough ;  but  I  does  n't  call 
you  Yankees." 

"  What  do  you  call  us  ?  " 

"  I  call  you  Jesus's  aids,  and  I  call  you  head  man  de  Mes- 
Eiah."  She  burst  out  into  a  rhapsody  of  hallelujah  and 
thanksgivings.  "I  can't  bress  de  Lord  enough;  and  bress 
you,  chile :  I  can't  love  you  enough  for  comin." 

"  Were  you  not  afraid,  Aunty,  when  the  shells  fell  into  the 
town  ?  " 

She  straightened  up,  raised  her  eyes,  and  with  a  look  of  tri- 
umphant joy,  exclaimed, — 

"  When  Mr.  Gillmore  fired  de  big  gun  and  I  hear  de  shell 
a-rushin  ober  my  head,  I  say.  Come  dear  Jesus,  and  I  feel 
nearer  to  Heabcn  dan  I  eber  feel  before  ! " 

My  laundress  at  Port  Royal  was  Rosa,  a  young  colored  wo- 
man, who  escaped  from  Charleston  in  1862,  with  her  husband 
and  four  other  persons,  in  a  small  boat.  On  that  occasion 
Rosa  dressed  herself  in  men's  clothes,  and  the  whole  party 
early  one  morning  rowed  past  Sumter,  and  made  for  the 
gunboats. 


1865.]  CHABLESTON.  479 

"  If  you  go  to  Charleston  I  wish  you  would  see  if  my  mother 
is  there/'  said  Rosa.  ''  Governor  Aiken's  head  man  knows 
where  she  lives." 

We  went  up  King  Street  to  Governor  Aiken's.  We  found 
his  "  head  man  "  in  the  yard,  —  a  courteous  black,  who,  as  soon 
as  he  learned  that  we  were  Yankees,  and  had  a  message  from 
Rosa  to  her  mother,  dropped  all  work  and  started  with  us, 
eager  to  do  anything  for  a  Yankee.  A  walk  to  John  Street,  an 
entrance  through  a  yard  to  the  rear  of  a  dwelling-house, 
brought  us  to  the  mother,  in  a  small  room,  cluttered  with 
pots,  kettles,  tables,  and  chairs.  She  was  sitting  on  a  stool 
before  the  fire,  cooking  her  scanty  breakfast  of  corn-cake.  She 
had  a  little  rice  meal  in  a  bag  given  her  by  a  Rebel  officer. 
She  was  past  sixty  years  of  age,  —  a  large,  strong  woman,  with 
a  wide,  high  forehead  and  intellectual  features.  She  was 
clothed  in  a  skirt  of  dingy  negro  cloth,  a  sack  of  old  red  car- 
peting, and  poor,  thin  canvas  shoes  of  her  own  make.  Such 
an  introduction ! 

"  Here  comes  de  great  Messiah,  wid  news  of  Rosa  !  "  said  my 
introducer,  with  an  indescribable  dramatic  flourish. 

The  mother  sprang  from  the  stool  with  a  cry  of  joy.  "  From 
Rosa  ?  From  Rosa  ?  0,  thank  the  Lord !  "  She  took  hold  of 
my  hands,  looked  at  me  with  intense  earnestness  and  joy,  and 
yet  with  a  shade  of  doubt,  as  if  it  could  not  be  true. 

"  From  Rosa  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Aunty." 

She  kneeled  upon  the  floor  and  looked  up  to  heaven,  felie 
saw  not  us,  but  God  and  Jesus.  The  tears  streamed  from  her 
eyes.  She  recounted  in  prayer  all  her  long  years  of  slavery, 
of  suffering,  of  unrequited  toil,  and  achings  of  the  heart. 
"  You  have  heard  me,  dear  Jesus !     0  blessed  Lamb ! " 

It  was  a  conversation  between  herself  and  the  Saviour.  She 
told  him  the  story  of  her  life,  of  all  its  sorrows,  of  his  good- 
ness, kindness,  and  love,  the  tears  rolling  down  her  cheeks  the 
while  and  falling  in  great  drops  upon  the  floor.  She  wanted 
us  to  stay  and  partake  of  her  humble  fare,  pressed  my  hands 
again  and  again ;  and  when  we  told  her  we  must  go,  she  asked 
for  God's  best  blessmg  and  for  Jesu«'  love  to  follow  us.  It 
was  a  prayer  from  the  heart.     We  had  carried  to  her  the  news 


480  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Feb. 

that  she  was  free,  and  that  her  Rosa  was  still  alive.  The  long 
looked-for  jubilee  morning  had  dawned,  and  we  were  to  hex 
God's  messengers,  bringing  the  glad  tidings.  It  was  one  of  the 
most  thrilling  moments  I  ever  experienced. 

This  woman  had  been  a  slave,  had  been  sold,  exposed  to 
insult,  had  no  rights  which  a  white  man  was  bound  to  respect. 
So  said  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States,  Roger  B.  Ta- 
ney. God  ordained  her,  in  his  beneficent  goodness,  to  be  a 
slave.  So  preached  Rev.  Dr.  Thornwell,  the  great  South  Car- 
olina theologian ;  so  said  the  Southern  Presbyteries,  by  solemn 
resolutions.  Remembering  these  things,  I  went  out  from  that 
humble  dwelling  with  my  convictions  deepened  that  it  was 
God*s  war,  and  that  the  nation  was  passing  through  the  fire  in 
just  punishment  for  its  crimes  against  humanity. 

The  22d  of  February,  Washington's  birthday,  was  celebrated 
in  Charleston  as  never  before.  In  the  afternoon  a  small  party 
of  gentlemen  from  the  North  sat  down  to  a  dinner.  Among 
them  were  Colonel  Webster,  Chief  of  General  Sherman's  staff, 
Colonel  Markland  of  the  Post-Office  Department,  several  oflScers 
of  the  army  and  navy,  and  four  journalists,  all  guests  of  a 
patriotic  gentleman  from  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Getty. 

Our  table  was  spread  in  the  house  of  a  caterer  who  for- 
merly had  provided  sumptuous  dinners  for  the  Charlestonians. 
He  was  a  mulatto,  and  well  understood  his  art ;  for,  notwith- 
standing the  scarcity  of  provisions  in  the  city,  he  was  able  to 
provide  an  excellent  entertainment,  set  off  with  canned  fruits, 
which  had  been  put  up  in  England,  and  had  run  the  gauntlet 
of  the  blockade. 

Sentiments  were  offered  and  speeches  made,  which  in  other 
days  would  have  been  called  incendiary.  Five  years  before  if 
they  had  been  uttered  there  the  speakers  would  have  made  the 
acquaintance  of  Judge  Lynch,  and  been  treated  to  a  gratuitous 
coat  of  tar  and  feathers,  or  received  some  such  chivalric  atten- 
tion, if  they  had  not  dangled  from  a  lamp-post  or  the  nearest 
tree.  Lloyd's  Concert  Band,  colored  musicians,  were  in  at- 
tendance, and  "Hail  Columbia,"  the  "Star-Spangled  Banner," 
and  "Yankee  Doodle,"  —  songs  which  had  not  been  heard  for 
years  in  that  city,  —  were  sung  with  enthusiasm.  To  stand 
thei'C,  with  open  doors  and  windows,  and  speak  freely  without 


1865.]  CHARLESTON.  481 

fear  of  mob  dolence,  was  worth  all  the  precious  boon  had 
cost,  —  to  feel  that  our  words,  our  actions,  our  thoughts  even, 
were  not  subject  to  the  misinterpretation  of  irresponsible  in- 
quisitors, —  that  we  were  not  under  Venetian  espionage,  but 
in  free  America,  answerable  to  God  alone  for  our  thoughts, 
and  to  no  man  for  our  actions,  so  long  as  they  did  not  in- 
fringe the  rights  of  others. 

Henceforth  there  shall  be  free  speech  in  Charleston.  A 
party  of  twenty  gentlemen  began  the  new  era  on  the  22d  of 
February,  and  to  me  it  will  ever  be  a  pleasant  reflection  that 
1  was  one  of  the  privileged  number. 

While  dining  we  heard  the  sound  of  drums  and  a  chorus 
of  voices.  Looking  down  the  broad  avenue  we  saw  a  column 
of  troops  advancing  with  steady  step  and  even  ranks.  It  was 
nearly  sunset,  and  their  bayonets  were  gleaming  in  the  level 
rays.  It  was  General  Potter's  brigade,  led  by  the  Fifty-Fifth 
Massachusetts,  —  a  regiment  recruited  from  the  ranks  of 
sia^very.  Sharp  and  shrill  the  notes  of  the  fife,  stirring  the 
drum-beat,  deep  and  resonant  the  thousand  voices  singing 
their  most  soul-thrilling  war-song,  — 

"  John  Brown's  body  lies  a  mouldering  in  the  grave." 

Mingling  with  the  chorus  were  cheers  for  Governor  Andrew 
and  Abraham  Lincoln ! 

They  raised  their  caps,  hung  them  upon  their  bayonets. 
Proud  their  bearing.  They  came  as  conquerors.  Some  of 
them  had  walked  those  streets  before  as  slaves.  Now  they 
were  freemen,  —  soldiers  of  the  Union,  defenders  of  its  flag. 

Around  them  gathered  a  dusky  crowd  of  men,  women,  and 
children,  dancing,  shouting,  mad  with  very  joy.  Mothers  held 
up  their  little  ones  to  see  the  men  in  blue,  to  catch  a  sight 
of  the  starry  flag,  with  its  crimson  folds  and  tassels  of  gold. 

_         "  O  dark,  sad  millions,  patiently  and  dmnb, 

Waiting  for  God,  your  hour  at  last  has  come, 

And  freedom's  song 
Breaks  the  long  silence  of  yrur  night  of  wrong." 

Up  the  avenue,  past  the  citadei,  with  unbroken  ranks, 
they  marched,  oflering  no  insult,  uttering  no  epithet,  mani- 
festing no  revenge,  for  all  the  wrongs  of  centuries  heaped  upon 
them  by  a  people  now  humbled  and  at  their  mercy. 

31 


481:  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [Feb. 

While  walking  down  the  street  an  hour  later  1  inquired  my 
way  of  a  white  woman.  She  was  going  in  the  same  direction, 
and  kindly  volunteered  to  direct  me. 

"  How  do  the  Yankees  behave  ?  "  I  asked. 

'•  0,  they  behave  well  enough,  but  the  niggers  are  dreadful 


"  They  have  not  insulted  you,  I  hope." 

"  0  no,  they  have  n't  insulted  me,  but  they  have  other 
folks.  They  don't  turn  out  when  we  meet  them  ;  they 
smoke  cigars  and  go  right  up  to  a  gentleman  and  ask  him 
for  a  light !  " 

The  deepest  humiliation  to  the  Charlestonians  was  the  pres- 
ence of  negro  soldiers.  They  were  the  provost  guard  of  the 
city,  with  their  head-quarters  in  the  citadel.  Whoever  desired 
protection  papers  or  passes,  whoever  had  business  with  the 
marshal  or  the  general  commanding  the  city,  rich  or  poor, 
high-born  or  low-born,  white  or  black,  man  or  woman,  must 
meet  a  colored  sentinel  face  to  face  and  obtain  from  a  colored 
sergeant  permission  to  enter  the  gate,  ^hey  were  first  in  the 
city,  and  it  was  their  privilege  to  guard  it,  their  duty  to  main- 
tain law  and  order. 

A  Rebel  officer  who  had  given  his  parole,  but  who  was 
indiscreet  enough  to  curse  the  Yankees,  was  quietly  marched 
off  to  the  guard-house  by  these  colored  soldiers.  It  was  gall- 
ing to  his  pride,  and  he  walked  with  downcast  eyes  and  sub- 
dued demeanor. 

The  gorgeous  spectacle  of  the  numerous  war  vessels  m  the 
harbor  flaming  with  bunting  from  yardarm  and  topmast,  and 
thundering  forth  a  national  salute  in  double  honor  of  the  day 
and  the  victory,  deeply  impressed  the  minds  of  the  colored 
population  with  the  invincibility  of  the  Yankees. 

"  0  gosh  a  mighty !  It  is  no  use  for  de  Rebs  to  think  of 
standing  out  against  de  Yankees  any  longer.  I  '11  go  home 
and  bring  Dinah  down  to  see  de  sight ! "  cried  an  old  freed- 
man  as  he  beheld  the  fleet.  Bright  colors  are  the  delight  of 
the  African  race,  and  a  grand  display  of  any  kind  has  a  won- 
derful effect  on  their  imagination. 

Neither  the  white  nor  the  colored  people  comprehended  the 
change  which  had  taken  place  in  their  fortunes.     The  whites 


1865.]  CHAKLESTON.  488 

forgot  that  they  were  no  longer  slave-drivers.  Passing  down 
Rutledge  Street  one  morning  I  saw  a  crowd  around  the  door 
of  a  building.  A  friend  who  was  there  in  advance  of  me  said 
that  he  heard  an  outcry,  looked  in,  and  found  a  white  man 
whipping  a  colored  woman.  Iler  outcries  brought  a  colored 
sergeant  of  the  Provost  Guard  and  a  squad  of  men,  who  quietly 
took  the  woman  away,  told  her  to  go  where  she  pleased,  and 
informed  the  man  that  that  sort  of  thing  was  "  played  out." 
Two  white  women  were  passing  at  the  time.  "  0  my  God ! 
To  think  that  we  should  ever  come  to  this ! "  was  the  excla- 
mation of  one.  "  Yes,  madam,  you  have  come  to  it,  and  will 
have  to  come  to  a  good  deal  more,"  was  the  reply  of  my  friend. 

There  were  a  few  Union  men  in  the  city,  who  through  the 
long  struggle  had  been  true  to  the  old  flag.  They  were  mostly 
Germans.  Many  Union  officers  escaping  from  prison  had  been 
kindly  cared  for  by  these  faithful  friends,  who  had  been  sub- 
jected to  such  close  surveillance  that  secretiveness  had  become 
a  marked  trait  of  character. 

I  saw  a  small  flag  waving  from  a  window,  and  wishing  to  find 
out  what  sort  of  a  Union  man  resided  there,  rang  the  bell.  A 
man  came  to  the  door,  of  middle  age,  light  hair,  and  an  honest 
German  face. 

"  I  saw  the  stars  and  stripes  thrown  out  from  your  window, 
und  have  called  to  shake  hands  with  a  Union  man,  for  I  am  a 
Yankee." 

He  grasped  my  profiered  hand  and  shook  it  till  it  ached. 

"  Come  in,  sir.     God  bless  you,  sir !  " 

Then  suddenly  checking  himself,  ho  lowered  his  voice,  looked 
into  the  adjoining  rooms,  peeped  behmd  doors,  to  see  if  there 
were  a  listener  near. 

"  We  have  to  be  careful ;  spies  all  about  us,"  said  he,  not 
fully  realizing  that  the  soldiers  of  the  Union  had  possession  of 
the  city.     He  showed  me  a  large  flag. 

"  Since  the  fall  of  Sumter,"  said  he,  "  my  wife  and  I  have 
slept  on  it  every  night.  We  have  had  it  sewed  into  a  feather- 
bed." 

Ho  gazed  upon  it  as  if  it  were  the  most  blessed  thing  in  the 
world. 

He  had  aided  several  soldiers  in  escaping  from  prison ;  and 


♦84 


THE   BOYS   OF   '61. 


[Feb. 


on  one  occasion  had  kept  two  officers  secreted  several  weeks, 
till  an  opportunity  offered  to  send  them  out  to. the  blockading 
fleet. 

During  the  bombardment  of  the  city,  the  newspapers  had 
published  their  daily  bulletins,  —  "  So  many  shells  fired.  No 
damage."  From  the  proud  beginning  to  the  humiliating 
breaking  up  of  the  rule  of  Secession,  the  people  were  cheated, 
deluded,  and  deceived  by  false  promises  and  lying  reports.  It 
was  sad  to  walk  amid  the  ruins  of  what  had  been  once  so  fair. 
It  seemed  a  city  of  a  past  age  and  of  an  extinct  generation. 
And  it  was.  The  Charleston  of  former  days  was  dead  as  Pal- 
myra. Old  things  had  passed  away ;  a  new  generation  will 
behold  a  wondrous  change. 

"  Along  that  dreary  waste  where  lately  rung 
The  festal  lay  which  smiling  virgins  sung, 
Where  rapture  echoed  from  the  warbling  lute, 
And  the  gay  dance  resounded,  all  was  mute." 


1865.]  THE   LAST   CAMPAIGN.  485 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

THE    LAST    CAMPAIGN. 

Hastening  northward,  I  joined  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  m 
season  to  be  an  observer  of  Grant's  last  campaign.  It  was 
evident  that  the  power  of  the  Rebellion  to  resist  was  rapidly  on 
the  wane.  In  the  West  there  were  several  small  Rebel  forces, 
but  no  large  organized  body.  Hood's  defeat  at  Nashville  had 
paralyzed  operations  east  of  the  Mississippi.  Johnston  was 
falling  back  before  Sherman,  without  ability  to  check  his  ad- 
vance. 

Grant  had  strengthened  his  own  army.  Schofield  was  at 
Wilmington,  preparing  to  co-operate  with  Sherman.  Sheridan 
was  in  the  Valley,  at  Winchester,  —  his  cavalry  in  excellent 
condition  for  a  move.  The  cavalry  arm  of  the  service  had  been 
growing  in  importance.  Grant  had  fostered  it,  and  now  held  it 
in  his  hand,  as  Jove  his  thunderbolts.  His  letter  to  Sheridan, 
written  on  the  20th  of  February,  shows  how  thoroughly  he 
had  prepared  for  the  finishing  work. 

"As  soon  as  it  is  possible  to  travel,"  he  writes,  "  I  think  you 
will  have  no  difficulty  about  reaching  Lynchburg  with  a  cavalry 
force  alone.  From  thence  you  could  destroy  the  railroad  and 
canal  in  every  direction,  so  as  to  be  of  no  further  use  to  the 
Rebellion.  Sufficient  cavalry  should  be  left  behind  to  look 
after  Mosby's  gang.  From  Lynchburg,  if  information  you 
might  get  there  would  justify  it,  you  could  strike  south,  head- 
ing the  streams  in  Virginia  to  the  westward  of  Danville,  and 
push  on  and  join  Sherman.  This  additional  raid,  with  one 
now  about  starting  from  East  Tennessee,  under  Stoneman, 
numbering  four  or  five  thousand  cavalry ;  one  from  Eastport, 
Mississippi,  numbering  ten  thousand  cavalry ;  Canby  from 
Mobile  Bay,  numbering  thirty-eight  thousand  mixed  troops,  — 
these  three  latter  pushing  for  Tuscaloosa,  Selma,  and  Mont- 
gomery, and  Sherman  with  a  large  army  eating  out  the  vitals 


4«t5  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [March, 

of  South  Carolina,  is  all  that  will  be  wanted  to  leave  nothing 
for  the  Rebellion  to  stand  upon.  I  would  advise  you  to  over- 
come great  obstacles  to  accomplish  this.  Charleston  was  evacu- 
ated on  Tuesday  last." 

Sheridan  started  on  the  27th  of  February  with  two  divis 
ions  of  cavalry,  numbering  about  ten  thousand  men,  reached 
Staunton  on  the  2d  of  March,  fell  upon  Early  at  Waynesboro', 
capturing  sixteen  hundred  prisoners,  eleven  guns,  seventeen 
battle-flags,  and  two  hundred  wagons  ;  occupied  Charlottesville 
on  the  3d,  destroyed  the  railroad,  and  burned  the  bridge  on 
the  Rivanna  River.  A  rain-storm  delaying  his  trains,  and 
obliging  him  to  wait  two  days,  he  abandoned  the  attempt  to 
reach  Sherman  ;  then  dividing  his  force,  he  sent  one  division 
towards  Lynchburg,  which  broke  up  the  railroad,  while  the 
other  went  down  James  River,  cutting  the  canal.  He  in- 
tended to  cross  the  James  at  New  Market,  move  southeast  to 
Appomattox  Court>-House,  strike  the  South  Side  Railroad,  tear 
it  up,  and  join  Grant's  left  flank ;  but  a  freshet  on  the  James 
prevented  the  accomplishment  of  his  purpose.  He  therefore 
sent  scouts  through  the  Rebel  lines  to  Grant,  to  inform  him 
of  the  difficulties  he  had  encountered  and  consequent  change 
of  plan. 

"I  am  going  to  White  House,  and  shall  want  supplies  at 
that  point,"  said  he.  The  scouts  left  him  on  the  10th  at  Co- 
lumbia, and  reached  Grant  on  the  12th.  Sheridan  made  a 
rapid  march,  passing  quite  near  Richmond  on  the  north, 
and  raising  a  midnight  alarm  in  the  Rebel  capital. 

"  Couriers  reported  that  the  enemy  were  at  the  outer  fortifi- 
cations, and  had  burned  Ben  Green's  house,"  writes  a  citizen 
of  Richmond. 

"  Mr.  Secretary  Mallory  and  Postmaster-General  Regan  were 
in  the  saddle,  and  rumor  says  the  President  and  the  remainder 
of  the  cabinet  had  their  horses  saddled,  in  readiness  for 
flight."* 

Sheridan  was  not  quite  so  near,  and  had  no  thought  of 
attacking  the  city.  He  passed  quietly  down  the  north  bank  of 
the  Pamunkey  to  the  White  House,  where  supplies  were  in  wait- 


•  Rebel  War  Clerk's  Diary,  Vol.  U   p.  446. 


1865.]  THE  LAST  CAMPAIGN.  487 

ing.  ETo  rested  his  horses  a  day  or  two,  and  then  moved  to 
Petersburg. 

At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  25th  of  March  Lee  made 
his  last  offensive  movement. 

Ho  conceived  the  idea  of  breaking  Grant's  line  east  of  Pe- 
tersburg, and  destroying  his  supplies  at  City  Point.  The  first 
part  he  successfully  accomplished,  but  the  last  could  not  have 
been  carried  out.  He  massed  Gordon's  and  Bushrod  John- 
son's divisions  in  front  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  for  an  attack  upon 
Fort  Steadman  and  the  batteries  adjoining.  The  fort  was  held 
by  the  Fourteenth  New  York  Heavy  Artillery.  It  was  a  square 
redoubt,  covering  about  one  acre,  and  mounted  nine  guns, 
and  was  not  more  than  five  hundred  feet  from  the  Rebel  line. 
The  Rebels  tore  away  their  own  abatis,  and  in  less  than  a 
minute  were  inside  the  fort.  Almost  the  whole  garrison  was 
captured,  and  the  guns  turned  upon  the  batteries. 

Colonel  Tidball,  commanding  the  artillery  in  the  Ninth 
Corps,  quickly  had  his  men  at  work.  General  Parke,  com- 
manding the  Ninth,  threw  Hartranft's  and  Wilcox's  divisions 
in  rear  of  Fort  Steadman.  They  fell  like  a  thunderbolt  upon 
Gordon's  front  line,  taking  eighteen  hundred  prisoners,  forcing 
the  enemy  out  of  the  fort,  and  recapturing  the  guns. 

Long  and  loud  the  huzzas  which  went  up  when  the  guns 
were  wheeled  once  more  upon  the  discomfited  foe.  President 
Lincoln  saw  the  battle  from  the  high  ground  near  the  house 
of  Mr.  Dunn.  During  the  forenoon  Gordon  sent  in  a  flag  of 
truce,  asking  permission  to  bury  his  dead,  which  was  granted. 
The  Union  loss  was  not  far  from  eight  hundred  and  thirty, 
mostly  in  prisoners,  while  Lee's  exceeded  three  thousand. 

General  Meade  ordered  a  general  attack.  He  thought  that 
there  must  be  a  weak  place  in  some  portion  of  the  Rebel  line. 
The  Second  and  Sixth  Corps  succeeded  in  taking  the  in- 
trenched picket  line,  and  holding  it.  Great  efforts  were  made 
by  Lee  to  regain  it,  but  in  vain.  Nhie  Imndred  prisoners  were 
captured  during' the  afternoon. 

I  rode  to  City  Point  in  the  evening,  and  visited  Grant's  head- 
quarters. General  Grant  was  well  satisfied  with  the  results  of 
tlie  day. 

"  It  wiU  tell  upon  the  next  great  battle,"  said  he.    "  Lee  ha^ 


48b  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [March, 

made  a  desperate  attempt  and  failed.  Tlie  new  recruits  fought 
like  veterans." 

He  had  already  issued  his  order  for  the  grand  movement 
which  was  to  give  the  finishing  blow  to  the  Rebellion.  He 
liad  been  impelled  to  this  by  various  causes,  not  the  least  of 
which  was  the  unjust  course  pursued  by  some  of  the  newspapers 
of  the  West,  which  lauded  Sherman  and  his  men,  but  nneered 
at  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  soldiers  of  the  East  had 
accomplished  nothing,  they  said,  and  the  soldiers  of  tlie  West 
would  have  to  finish  tlie  Rebellion.  Sherman  had  fought  his 
way  from  Chattanooga  to  the  sea.  He  was  driving  all  before 
him.  He  would  come  in  on  Grant's  left  flank  and  rout  Lee. 
These  taunts  and  inuendoes  were  keenly  felt  by  the  men  who 
had  won  the  fields  of  Gettysburg,  Antietam,  Wilderness,  Spott- 
sylvania,  and  who  had  lost  eighty  thousand  of  their  comrades 
in  forty  days.  Grant  felt  it.  He  saw  the  dangerous  tendency 
of  such  jealousy.  He  knew  what  the  Eastern  soldiers  could 
do ;  that  tliey  had  fought  with  unsurpassed  bravery  and  hero- 
ism. To  avoid  sectional  animosity  between  the  East  and  the 
West,  he  determined  to  strike  Lee  before  Sherman's  arrival, 
and  accordingly  issued  his  order  on  the  24th. 

But  Sherman  meanwhile  visited  Grant  in  person.  I  was 
sitting  in  the  office  of  General  Grant's  Adjutant-General  on 
the  morning  of  the  28th  of  March,  and  saw  President  Lincoln, 
with  Generals  Grant,  Sherman,  Meade,  and  Sheridan,  coming  up 
the  walk.  Look  at  the  men  whose  names  are  to  have  a  con- 
spicuous place  in  the  annals  of  America.  Lincoln,  tall,  round- 
shouldered,  loose-jointed,  large-featured,  deep-eyed,  with  a  smile 
upon  his  face.  He  is  dressed  in  black,  and  wears  a  fash- 
ionable silk  hat.  Grant  is  at  Lincoln's  right,  shorter,  stouter, 
more  compact ;  wears  a  military  hat  with  a  stiff,  broad  brim, 
has  his  hands  in  his  pantaloons'  pockets,  and  is  puffing  away 
at  a  cigar  while  listening  to  Sherman.  Sherman,  tall,  with 
high,  commanding  forehead,  is  almost  as  loosely  built  as  Lin- 
coln ;  has  sandy  whiskers,  closely  cropped,  and  sharp,  twink- 
ling eyes,  long  arms  and  legs,  shabby  coat,  slouch  hat,  his  pants 
tucked  into  his  boots.  He  is  talking  hurriedly,  gesticulating 
now  to  Lincoln,  now  to  Grant,  his  eyes  wandering  everywhere. 
Meade,  also  tall,  with  thin,  sharp  features,  a  gray  beard,  and 


1865.]  THE   LAST   CAMPAIGN.  489 

spectacles,  is  a  little  stooping  in  his  gait.  Sheridan,  the  shortest 
of  all,  quick  and  energetic  in  all  his  movements,  with  a  face 
bronzed  by  sun  and  wind ;  courteous,  affable,  a  thorough  sol- 
dier. I  had  not  met  him  for  many  months,  but  he  at  once 
remembered  me,  and  spoke  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  where  I  first 
made  his  acquaintance.  The  plan  of  the  Lieutenant-General 
was  then  mad*e  known  to  his  subordinates,  and  each  departed 
during  the  day,  to  carry  into  execution  the  respective  parts 
assigned  them. 

Grant's  line  was  nearly  forty  miles  long,  extending  from  the 
north  side  of  the  James  to  Hatcher's  Run.  General  Ord,  who 
had  succeeded  Butler  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the  James, 
left  Weitzel  to  maintain  the  position  north  of  James  River,  and 
moved  with  two  divisions  of  the  Twenty-Fourth  Corps  under 
Gibbon,  and  one  of  the  Twenty-Fifth  under  Birney,  with  a 
division  of  cavalry  under  McKenzie,  to  Hatcher's  Run,  arriving 
there  on  the  morning  of  the  29th. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  28th  Sheridan  started  with  Crook's 
and  Merritt's  divisions  of  cavalry  for  Dinwiddie  CourtrHouse, 
while  Warren  with  the  Fifth  Corps  crossed  Hatcher's  Run,  and 
marched  towards  the  same  point. 

"  We  have  four  days'  rations  in  our  haversacks,  and  twelve 
days'  in  our  wagons,"  said  Colonel  Batchelder,  Quartermaster- 
in-chief  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Lee  discovered  the  movement,  and  during  the  evening  of 
the  29th  made  a  diversion  against  the  Ninth  Corps.  Precisely 
at  ten  o'clock  there  was  a  signal-gun,  a  yell,  a  volley  of  mus- 
ketry as  the  Rebels  attacked  Parke's  picket-line.  Then  came 
the  roar  of  the  cannonade.  The  Ninth  Corps  was  prepared. 
Through  the  afternoon  there  had  been  suspicious  movements 
along  the  Rebel  lines,  and  Parke  was  on  the  watch.  It  wae 
surmised  that  Lee  would  endeavor  to  compel  Grant  to  r  cali 
the  Fifth  and  Second  Corps.  Parke  strengthened  his  picket 
line,  and  brought  up  his  reserve  artillery,  to  be  ready  in  case 
of  emergency.  In  three  minutes  nearly  two  hundred  gmi: 
and  mortars  were  in  play.  The  night  was  dark,  the  win< 
Bouth,  and  rain  falling,  but  the  battle  increased  in  inten- 
sity. I  stood  upon  the  hill  in  rear  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  and 
witnessed  the  display.     Thirty  shells  were  in  the  air  at    the 


490  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [March, 

same  instant.  The  horizon  was  bright  with  fiery  arches,  cross- 
ing each  other  at  all  angles,  cut  horizontally  by  streams  of  fire 
from  rilled  cannon.  Beneath  the  arches  thousands  of  muskets 
were  flashing.  It  surpassed  in  sublimity  anything  I  had  wit- 
nessed during  the  war.  The  slightly  wounded  in  the  hospitals 
of  the  Ninth  Corps  who  could  walk  went  out  with  me  to  see 
the  fight. 

"  I  wish  I  was  down  there  with  the  boys,"  said  one  who  the 
day  before  had  received  a  bullet  through  his  right  hand. 

After  two  hours  of  terrific  cannonade  the  uproar  ceased,  Lee 
having  found  that  Grant's  lines  were  as  strong  as  ever.  I'he 
demonstration  cost  him  several  hundred  soldiers.  I  talked 
with  one  of  the  wounded  Rebels. 

"  You  can't  subdue  us  even  if  you  take  Richmond,"  said 
ho ;  "  we  '11  fight  it  out  in  the  mountains." 

"  Undoubtedly  you  feel  like  fighting  it  out,  but  you  may 
think  better  of  it  one  of  these  days." 

A  delegate  of  the  Ciiristian  Commission  sat  down  to  write  a 
letter  for  him  to  his  wife,  to  be  sent  by  a  flag  of  truce. 

"  Tell  her,"  said  he,  "  that  I  am  kindly  treated." 

His  voice  choked  and  tears  rolled  down  his  cheeks.  A  nurse 
stood  over  him  bathing  his  wounds  to  cool  the  fever,  combing 
his  hair,  and  anticipating  all  his  wants.  I  recalled  the  words 
of  a  citizen  of  Savannah,  who  said,  "  I  went  to  the  stockade 
when  your  prisoners  were  brought  down  from  Millen,  with  a 
basket  of  oranges  to  give  to  the  sick  and  dying,  but  was  told 
by  the  ofiicer  in  command  that  his  orders  were  imperative  to 
allow  no  one  to  give  anything  to  the  prisoners." 

Observe  the  contrast.  Here  were  good  beds,  nourishing  food, 
delicacies  from  the  stores  of  the  Christian  and  Sanitary  Com- 
missions, and  kind  attention.  There  see  a  crowd  of  wretches 
in  rags,  exposed  to  the  winds,  the  rains,  the  broiling  heat  or 
the  biting  cold,  eating  corn-meal  and  water,  and  meat  alive 
with  maggots,  —  stinted  till  starved,  held  captive  till  hope  died, 
^ill  the  mind  wandered,  and  the  victims  became  drivelling 
imbeciles  or  walking  skeletons,  and  greeted  death  as  a  wel- 
come release  from  the  horrors  of  their  prison-pen.  But  I  have 
idverted  to  this  before ;  still  commentary  is  ever  provoked. 

Hatcher's  Run,  an  affluent  of  Rowanty  Creek,  has  a  gen- 


1865.]  THE  LAST   CAMPAIGN.  491 

eral  southeast  course.  It  is  crossed  by  three  main  highways, 
which  lead  out  of  Petersburg  towards  the  southwest,  —  the 
Vaughn  road  farthest  east,  Squirrel  Level  road  next,  and  last 
the  Boydtown  plank-road.  The  Squirrel  Level  road  forks  seven 
miles  out,  one  fork  running  to  the  Vaughn  road  and  the  other 
to  the  plank-road.  It  is  nine  miles  from  Petersburg  to  the  toll 
gate  on  the  plank-road,  which  is  situated  a  few  rods  south  of 
the  run.  The  stream  above  this  crossing  of  the  plank-road  tends 
west  and  southwest,  so  that  if  a  fisherman  with  his  rod  and  fly 
were  to  start  at  the  head-waters  of  the  creek  he  would  travel 
northeast,  then  east,  then  at  the  bridge  on  the  plank-road  south- 
east, and  after  reaching  the  Vaughn  road,  south. 

Were  we  lo  stand  upon  the  bridge  where  the  plank-road 
crosses  the  stream,  and  look  northeast,  we  would  obtain  a  view 
of  the  inside  of  the  Rebel  lines.  The  bridge  was  in  Lee's  pos- 
session, also  the  toll-gate  on  the  south  side,  also  a  portion  of 
the  White  Oak  road,  which  branches  from  the  plank  road,  near 
the  toll-gate,  and  leads  west,  midway  between  the  run  and  the 
plank-road. 

The  country  is  densely  wooded,  mostly  with  pine,  with  occa- 
sional clearings.  Several  steam  saw-mills  have  been  erected 
in  this  vicinity,  which  cut  timber  for  the  Petersburg  market. 
The  plank-road  leads  to  Dinwiddie  Court-House,  which  is  fifteen 
miles  from  Petersburg.  Just  beyond  the  Court-House  is  Stony 
Creek,  which  has  a  southeast  course,  with  a  branch  called 
Chamberlain's  Bed,  coming  down  from  the  north,  having  its 
rise  in  a  swamp  near  the  head  of  Hatcher's  Run. 

Now  to  understand  the  direction  of  the  Rebel  line  of  fortifi- 
cations, let  us  in  imagination  start  from  Petersburg  and  walk 
down  the  plank-road.  We  face  southwest,  and  walk  in  rear  of 
fort  after  fort  nine  miles  to  Hatcher's  Run,  where  a  strong 
work  has  been  erected  on  the  north  bank  of  the  stream.  We 
cross  the  bridge  and  find  another  on  the  south  bank  near  the 
toll-house  and  Burgess's  tavern.  Here  we  leave  the  plank- 
road,  and  turning  west  walk  along  the  White  Oak  road  with 
Hatcher's  Run  north  of  us  a  mile  distant.  Four  miles  from 
the  town  we  come  to  "  Five  Forks,"  where  five  roads  meet, 
midway  the  head  of  Chamberlain's  Bed  and  Hatcher's  Run. 
This  is  an  important  point, —  the  key  of  Petersburg,  —  which. 


492  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [March, 

although  so  far  away  from  the  towu,  and  apparently  of  no  im 
portance,  is  in  reality  the  most  vital  point  of  all.  There  is  no 
stream  immediately  behind  or  before  it,  but  a  mile  south  is  the 
swamp  of  Chamberlain's  Run ;  a  mile  north  the  low  lands  of 
Hatcher's  Run,  but  here  firm,  hard  ground.  If  Grant  can 
break  through  this  gateway  he  can  tear  up  the  rails  of  the 
South  Side  road,  have  unobstructed  passage  to  the  Danvillo 
road,  and  Richmond  and  Petersburg  are  his.  It  is  six  miles 
from  the  Forks,  north,  to  the  railroad,  but  that  is  the  best  place 
for  Lee  to  fight,  and  there  he  establishes  a  strong  line  of  works. 

Grant's  movement  was  that  of  fishermen  stretching  a  seine. 
He  kept  one  end  of  the  net  firmly  fastened  to  the  bank  of  the 
Appomattox,  while  Sheridan  drew  the  otlier  past  Dinwiddle 
Court-House  to  Five  Forks,  with  the  intention  of  reaching  the 
railroad  west  of  Petersburg,  to  enclose,  if  possible,  Lee's  entire 
army.  Such  the  plan,  —  noble  in  conception,  grand  in  exe- 
cution. 

Sheridan  had  started  to  cut  the  South  Side  road  at  Burkes 
ville,  but  Grant,  upon  deliberation,  decided  to  strike  nearer. 

"  I  feel  like  ending  the  matter,  if  it  is  possible  to  do  so,  bo- 
fore  going  back,"  wrote  Grant,  from  Gravelly  Run,  —  three 
miles  west  of  Hatcher's  Run.  "  I  do  not  want  you  to  cut 
loose  and  go  after  the  enemy's  roads  at  present.  In  the  morn- 
mg  push  round  the  enemy  if  you  can,  and  get  on  to  his  right 
rear."^ 

The  rain  which  commenced  falling  at  midnight  on  the  29th 
continued  through  the  30th  and  the  forenoon  of  the  31st,  but 
Sheridan  kept  in  motion,  reached  Dinwiddle  at  five  o'clock  on 
the  29th,  where  he  bivouacked. 

On  the  morning  of  the  30th  he  came  in  contact  with  tlio 
Rebels  a  mile  beyond  the  Court-House,  posted  on  the  west 
bank  of  Chamberlain's  Run. 

W.  H.  F.  Lee's  cavalry  held  the  right  of  the  Rebel  line,  with 
Pickett's  division  of  infantry  on  the  left.  During  the  forenoon 
Bushrod  Johnson's  division  of  infantry  came  down  from  Five 
Forks  and  formed  on  Pickett's  left. 

Sheridan  reconnoitred  the  position  during  the  foronoon,  and 
began  the  attack  about  two  P.  M.,  but  the  ground  wi*s  marshy, 
and   liis  horses  could  not  be  used.     Johnson's  and  Pickett's 


1866.]  THE  LAST   CAMPAIGN.  493 

divisions,  and  Wise's  brigade,  which  also  had  arrived,  crossed 
the  run  about  half  past  two.  The  fight  was  severe.  Sheri- 
dan dismounted  his  men,  deployed  them  as  infantry,  and  con- 
tested the  ground,  falling  back  on  Dinwiddle  Court-House, 
where  the  battle  ended  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

Meade  ordered  McKenzie's  division  of  cavalry  to  hasten  to 
the  assistance  of  Sheridan,  and  at  five  o'clock  directed  Warren 
to  push  a  small  force  down  the  White  Oak  road  to  communi- 
cate with  that  officer,  and  Bartlett's  brigade  was  sent.  During 
the  night  Warren's  whole  force  moved  towards  Dinwiddle  to 
attack  Pickett  and  Johnson  in  the  rear,  and  at  daylight  was 
ready  for  the  assault ;  but  the  Rebels  had  decamped,  and  were 
once  more  in  position  at  Five  Forks. 

On  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  April,  Sheridan,  having  com 
mand  of  the  Fifth  Corps,  as  well  as  the  cavalry,  moved  cau- 
tiously towards  Five  Forks.  The  forenoon  was  passed  in  re- 
connoitring the  position,  which  was  defended  by  the  whole 
of  Pickett's  division,  Wise's  independent  brigade  of  infantry, 
Fitz  Hugh  Lee's,  W.  H.  Lee's,  and  Ross's  divisions  of  cavalry, 
and  Johnson's  division  of  infantry. 

Sheridan's  order  was  to  form  the  whole  corps  before  advan- 
cing, so  that  all  the  troops  should  move  simultaneously. 

Following  the  Fifth  Corps,  we  came  to  the  Gravelly  Run 
church,  which  is  about  one  and  a  half  miles  southeast  of  Five 
Forks.  A  quarter  of  a  mile  northwest  of  the  church  is  the 
house  of  Mr.  Bass,  a  landmark  for  the  future  historian,  for 
there  Sheridan's  line  turned  a  right  angle.  Ayers's  division  of 
the  Fifth  marching  past  the  church,  wheeled  on  the  north  side 
of  the  house  and  faced  west.  Crawford's  division  passed  on, 
and  came  into  line  north  of  Ayers's,  while  Griffin's  stood  in 
reserve  on  the  White  Oak  road,  in  rear  of  Ayers's.  McKenzie's 
cavalry,  which  had  been  some  time  on  the  ground,  deflected  to 
the  right  and  held  the  ground  to  Hatcher's  Run,  which  here 
has  a  course  due  east.  McKenzie,  Crawford,  Ayers,  and  Grif- 
fin therefore  faced  west.  Taking  the  other  leg  of  the  angle, 
we  find  Stagg's  division  of  cavalry  nearest  the  house  of  Mr. 
Bass,  then  Gibbs's  and  Fitzhugh's,  Pennington's  and  Wells's, 
all  facing  north,  and  on  the  extreme  left.  Coppinger's  facing 
northeast.      Fitzhugh's   division   was    directly   south   of  Five 


494  THE    BOYS    OF    '61.  [April, 

Forks.  This  powerful  body  of  cavalry  was  all  under  the  com- 
mand of  Major-General  Merritt. 

The  woods  were  dense,  with  here  and  there  an  opening. 

"  Keep  the  sun  shining  over  your  left  shoulders,"  was  War- 
ren's order  to  his  troops.  The  length  of  his  front  was  about 
one  thousand  yards,  and  his  divisions  were  in  three  Ihies, — 
numbering  about  twelve  thousand.  While  the  troops  were 
forming  he  drew  a  sketch  of  the  enemy's  position  for  each  di- 
vision commander,  and  instructed  them  to  explain  it  to  each 
brigade  commander,  that  there  might  be  no  mistake  in  the 
movement. 

The  cavalry,  through  the  afternoon,  while  Warren  was  get- 
ting into  position,  kept  up  a  skirmish  fire. 

Sheridan  was  impatient.  The  sun  was  going  down  and  he 
must  attack  at  once  or  retire.  He  could  not  think  of  doing 
the  latter,  as  it  would  give  Pickett  and  Johnson  time  to  make 
their  intrenchments  exceedingly  strong.  He  ordered  Merritt 
to  make  a  demonstration.  That  officer  advanced  Wells  and 
Coppinger  against  Johnson's  extreme  right. 

"  I  am  going  to  strike  their  left  flank  with  the  Fifth  Corps, 
and  when  you  hear  the  musketry,  assault  all  along  the  line," 
were  his  instructions  to  Merritt. 

The  Fii'th  advanced  in  excellent  order,  sweeping  round  Pick- 
ett's left  flank,  and  falling  on  his  rear.  For  a  half-hour  there 
was  a  heavy  fire,  but  the  woods  being  dense  the  loss  was  not 
very  great.  When  the  order  to  charge  bayonet  was  given,  the 
men  rushed  forward,  leaped  over  the  intrenchments,  and  cap- 
tured Pickett's  front  line.  Pickett  formed  a  new  line,  which 
he  endeavored  to  hold  against  the  Fifth.  Warren  ordered 
Crawford  to  take  them  once  more  in  flank,  and  sent  one  of 
McKenzie's  brigades  to  aid  him.  Ayers's  and  Griffin's  divisions 
had  become  disorganized  by  the  success,  but  reforming  they 
advanced  along  the  White  Oak  road,  but  were  checked  by 
Pickett's  new  line.  Officers  were  urging  the  men  forward,  but 
there  was  faltering.  Warren,  accompanied  by  Captain  Ben- 
vaud,  rode  to  the  front,  and  called  upon  his  officers  to  follow 
his  example.  Quick  the  response.  Officers  of  all  ranks,  from 
generals  to  subalterns  and  the  color-bearers,  sprang  forward. 
In  an  instant  the  line  rallied,  and  with  fixed  bayonets  leaped 


1866.]  THE  LAST   CAMPAIGN.  495 

upon  tho  enemy  and  captured  the  whole  force  opposing  them. 
Warren's  horse  fell,  fatally  shot,  and  an  oi'derly  by  his  side  was 
killed,  within  a  few  paces  of  the  intrenchment.  When  Mer- 
ritt  heard  the  roll  of  musketry  he  ordered  the  attack.  His 
cavalrymen  rode  fearlessly  through  the  woods,  dashed  up  to 
the  intrenchments,  leaped  over  them  and  carried  the  entire 
line  along  his  front  in  the  first  grand  charge. 

"  The  enemy,"  says  Sheridan,  "  were  driven  from  their 
strong  line  of  works,  completely  routed ;  the  Fiftli  Corps 
doubling  up  their  left  flank  in  confusion,  and  the  cavalry  of 
General  Merritt  dashing  on  to  the  White  Oak  road,  capturing 
their  artillery,  turning  it  upon  them,  and  riding  into  tlieir 
broken  ranks,  so  demoralized  them  that  they  made  no  serious 
stand  after  their  line  was  carried,  but  took  flight  in  dis- 
order." * 

It  was  now  nearly  dark,  but  Merritt  and  McKenzie  followed 
tho  enemy,  who  threw  away  their  guns  and  knapsacks,  and 
sought  safety  in  flight,  or  finding  themselves  hard  pressed,  sur- 
rendered. 

Between  five  and  six  thousand  prisoners  and  eighteen  pieces 
of  artillery  were  captured.  The  way  was  open  to  the  South 
Side  Railroad.  Grant  determined  to  turn  the  success  to  quick 
account.  "  Attack  along  the  whole  line,"  was  his  message  to 
the  corps  commanders. 

At  ten  o'clock  Saturday  evening  the  cannonade  began.  All 
the  batteries  joined,  all  the  forts,  the  gunboats  in  tlie  Appo- 
mattox, the  batteries  west  of  Bermuda  Hundred,  and  the  mon- 
itors by  the  Howlet  House.  There  was  a  continual  succession 
of  flashes  and  an  unbroken  roll  of  thunder.  The  Rebels  had 
no  peace  during  the  night. 

"  Send  up  the  provost  brigade,"  was  Grant's  despatch  sent  to 
City  Point.  The  Sixty-First  Massachusetts,  One  Hundred 
and  Fourteenth  New  York,  and  other  regiments,  and  Sheridan's 
dismounted  cavalry,  were  out  at  daybreak  and  on  the  march. 

"  Send  up  the  marines  to  guard  the  prisoners,"  was  his  sec- 
ond despatch,  and  the  blue-jackets  from  the  gunboats,  with 
carbines,  were  sent  ashore.     The  time  had  come  for  the  mus- 


♦  Sheridan's  Report. 


4»t)  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [April, 

tcriiig  of  every  available  man.  The  sailors  took  cars  at  City 
Point,  and  sang  all  the  way  to  Hatcher's  Run,  as  if  they  were 
having  a  lark. 

Lee  was  in  trouble.  He  sent  a  message  to  Longstreet,  who 
was  north  of  the  James,  to  hurry  to  Petersburg.  Longstreet 
put  Ewell  in  command  and  hastened  across  the  James,  with 
Fields's  division.  Lee  had  three  bridges,  besides  those  in 
Richmond,  —  one  at  Warwick's,  another  at  Knight's  farm,  and 
the  third  at  Chaffin's  Bluff.  Longstreet,  Lee's  ablest  general, 
stout,  robust,  with  heavy  black  whiskers,  with  his  staff,  galloped 
across  the  middle  bridge  toward  Petersburg,  leaving  his  troops 
to  follow. 

The  Richmond  bells  were  ringing,  not  the  paean  of  victory, 
as  after  some  of  their  successful  battles,  but  for  the  assembling 
of  the  militia  to  man  the  fortifications  from  which  Longstreet's 
troops  were  retiring. 

"  The  beat  of  the  alarming  drum 
Roused  up  the  soldier  ere  the  morning  star, 
\VTiile  thronged  the  citizens  with  terror  dumb, 
Or  whispering,  with  white  lips,  *  The  foe  I  They  come  I  they  comer' 

Let  us  look  at  Lee's  lines  at  midnight,  Saturday,  April  1st. 
Johnson,  Pickett,  Wise,  and  W.  H.  F.  Lee's  cavalry  are  fleeing 
towards  the  Appomattox,  beyond  Hatcher's  Run  ;  A.  P.  Hill  is 
liolding  the  line  east  of  the  Run  ;  Gordon  occupies  the  fortifica- 
tions from  the  Jerusalem  road  to  the  Appomattox  ;  Longstreet 
is  hastening  down  from  Richmond ;  Ewell  is  north  of  the 
James,  and  the  citizens  of  Richmond  are  jumping  from  their  beds 
to  shoulder  muskets  for  service  in  the  trenches.  Lee  has 
not  yet  decided  to  evacuate  Petersburg.  He  will  wait  and  see 
what  a  day  may  bring  forth. 

He  had  not  long  to  wait.  Parke,  commanding  the  Ninth 
Corps,  during  the  night,  prepared  to  assault.  It  was  precisely 
four  o'clock  when  the  divisions  leaped  from  their  intrench- 
ments,  and  with  bayonets  fixed,  without  firing  a  gun,  tore  away 
the  abatis  in  front  of  the  forts,  swarmed  over  the  embankments, 
crawled  into  the  embrasures,  and  climbed  the  parapet.  It  was 
the  work  of -five  minutes  only,  but  four  forts,  mounting  between 
twenty  and  thirty  guns,  were  taken,  with  seven  hundred  pris- 
oners. 


1865.]  THE   LAST   CAMPAIGN.  497 

Grant  began  early  on  Sunday  morning  to  draw  the  farther 
end  of  the  net  toward  Petersburg.  Sheridan,  with  the  cavalry 
and  two  divisions  of  the  Fifth,  moved  upon  Sutherland's  Station 
on  the  South  Side  Railroad,  eleven  miles  from  Petersburg. 
Grant  sent  him  Miles's  division  of  the  Second  Corps.  Wright 
and  Ord,  east  of  the  run,  at  nine  o'clock  assaulted  the  works 
in  their  front,  and  after  a  severe  struggle  carried  them,  captur- 
ing all  the  guns  and  several  thousand  prisoners. 

Humphrey,  who  was  west  of  the  run,  now  was  able  to  leaTe 
his  position  and  join  Wright  and  Ord.  By  noon  we  see  the 
net  drawn  close.  Sheridan  at  Sutherland's,  with  the  Fifth 
Corps,  then  Humphrey,  Ord,  and  Wright ;  all  swinging  to- 
wards the  city,  taking  fort  after  fort  and  contracting  the  lines. 

In  the  morning  I  watched  the  movements  on  the  left,  but  as 
the  line  advanced,  hastened  east  in  season  to  see  the  last  at- 
tack on  Forts  Mahone  and  Gregg,  the  two  Rebel  strongholds 
south  of  the  town.  These  forts  were  in  rear  of  the  main  Rebel 
line,  on  higher  ground. 

The  troops,  in  columns  of  brigades,  moved  steadily  over  the 
field,  drove  in  the  Rebel  pickets,  received  the  fire  of  the  ba^ 
teries  without  breaking,  leaped  over  the  breastworks  with  a 
huzza,  which  rang  shrill  and  clear  above  the  cannonade.  Ma- 
hone was  an  embrasured  battery  of  three  guns  ;  Gregg,  a  strong 
fort  with  sally-ports,  embrasures  for  six  guns,  and  surrounded 
by  a  deep  ditch.  Mahone  was  carried  with  a  rush,  the  men 
mounting  the  escarpment  and  jumping  into  it,  regardless  of 
the  fire  poured  upon  them  by  the  Rebels. 

There  was  a  long  struggle  for  the  possession  of  Gregg.  Hetb 
and  Wilcox  were  there,  animating  the  garrison.  The  attack- 
ing columns  moved  in  excellent  order  over  the  field  swept  by 
the  guns  of  the  fort,  and  even  received  the  canister  without 
staggering.  The  fort  was  enveloped  in  smoke,  showing  that 
the  defence  was  heroic,  as  well  as  the  assault. 

The  lines  move  on.  The  soldiers  spring  into  the  ditch  and 
climb  the  embankment.  The  foremost,  as  they  reach  the  top. 
roll  back  upon  their  comrades.  They  are  lost  from  sight  in 
smoke  and  flame ;  but  from  the  cloud  there  comes  a  hurrah, 
and  the  old  flag  waves  in  the  sunlight  aVovo  the  stronghold 
which,  through  all  the  weary  months,  has  thundered  defiance 

32 


498 


THE   BOYS   OF   '61. 


[April, 


Lee*s  line  was  broken  at  the  centre,  and  Petersburg  was  no 
longer  tenable. 

It  was  inspiriting  to  stand  there,  and  watch  the  tide  of  vic- 
tory rolling  up  the  hill.  With  that  Sunday^s  sun  the  hopes  of 
the  Rebels  set,  never  to  rise  again.  The  C.  S.  A.,  —  the  Con- 
federate Slave  Argosy,  —  freighted  with  blood  and  groans  and 
tears,  the  death's-head  and  cross-bones  at  her  masthead,  hailed 
as  a  rightful  belligerent,  furnished  with  guns,  anununition,  and 
ail  needful  supplies  by  sympathetic  England  and  France,  was 
a  shattered,  helpless  wreck. 


FIRE    AMBULANCE. 


1865.1  RICHMOND.  4911 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

RICHMOND 

There  was  no  longer  the  semblance  of  a  Confederacy.  Jeff 
Davis  and  Breckenridge  were  fugitives,  without  country  or 
home.  The  Rebel  army  was  flying.  Richmond  was  in  flames. 
The  Rebellion  had  gone  down  in  a  night,  —  in  darkness  as  it 
originated,  and  as  it  ought  to  die. 

At  three  o'clock,  Monday  morning,  an  explosion  took  place 
which  shook  Richmond  to  its  foundations,  and  made  even  the 
beds  in  the  hospital  at  City  Point  heave  as  if  by  an  earth- 
quake. It  was  occasioned  by  the  blowing  up  of  the  Rebel  iron- 
clads. Semmes  was  again  without  a  command,  for  the  Rebel 
navy  was  no  more.  If  not  swept  from  the  ocean  by  Union 
cruisers,  as  the  Alabama  was  by  the  Kearsarge,  it  was  crushed 
by  the  ponderous  blows  of  Grant  and  his  victorious  legions, 
as  the  result  of  his  successes  in  the  field.  The  shock  roused 
the  army  from  slumber.  The  hosts  surrounding  Petersburg 
needed  no  other  reveille.  The  soldiers  were  on  their  feet  in 
an  instant,  and  General  Wilcox  (commanding  the  first  divis- 
ion of  the  Ninth  Corps)  accepted  it  as  a  signal  to  advance. 
He  was  lying  east  of  the  city,  his  right  resting  on  the  Appo- 
mattox. His  men  sprang  forward,  but  found  only  deserted 
works.  The  last  body  of  Rebels  —  the  lingerers  who  were  re- 
maining to  plunder  the  people  of  Petersburg  —  took  to  their 
Deels,  and  the  division  entered  the  town  without  opposition. 

The  entire  army  was  in  motion.  Engineers  hurried  up  with 
pontoons,  strung  them  across  the  Appomattox,  and  Grant  began 
tlie  pursuit.  I  entered  the  town  soon  after  sunrise,  and  found 
troops  pouring  in  from  all  quarters,  cheering,  swinging  their 
caps,  helping  themselves  to  tobacco,  rushing  upon  the  double- 
quick,  eager  to  overtake  Lee. 

The  colored  population  thronged  the  streets,  swinging  their 
old  hats,  bowing  low,  and  shouting  "  Glory! "  "  Bless  de  Lord! '' 


500  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  L^^P^i^J 

"  I 's  been  a  praying  for  dis  yere  to  happen,  but  did  n't  'spect 
it  quite  so  soon/'  "  It  is  ges  like  a  clap  of  thunder,"  said  an 
')ld  negro. 

"  I 's  glad  to  see  you.  I  'm  been  trying  and  wishing  and 
praying  dat  de  Lord  would  help  me  get  to  de  Yankees,  and 
now  dey  has  come  into  dis  yere  city,"  said  another.  The 
citizens  of  the  place,  also,  were  in  the  streets,  amazed  and 
oufoundcd  at  what  had  happened.  Provost  General  Macy,  of 
Massachusetts,  established  a  guard  to  prevent  depredations  and 
to  save  the  army  from  demoralization.  The  Rebels,  before 
retreating,  destroyed  their  commissary  stores  and  set  all  the 
tobacco  warehouses  on  fire.  I  took  a  hurried  survey  of  the 
Rebel  works  in  front  of  Fort  Steadman,  and  found  them  very 
strong.  The  ground  was  honeycombed  by  the  shells  which  had 
been  thrown  from  the  mortars  of  the  Ninth  Corps. 

General  Grant  was  early  in  the  town,  cool,  calm,  and  evi- 
dently well  pleased  with  the  aspect  of  affairs  ;  and  President 
Lincoln,  who  was  at  City  Point,  visited  Petersburg  during  the 
day.  He  went  up  in  a  special  car.  The  soldiers  at  Meade 
Station  caught  a  sight  of  him,  and  cheered  most  heartily.  He 
acknowledged  the  enthusiasm  and  devotion  of  the  soldiers  by 
bowuig  and  thanking  them  for  the  glorious  achievement  of 
their  arms.  On  Friday  he  looked  careworn,  but  the  great  vic- 
tory had  smoothed  the  deep  wrinkles  on  his  brow. 

Reaching  City  Point  at  noon,  I  was  soon  in  the  saddle, 
galloping  towards  Richmond ;  crossing  the  Appomattox  at 
Broadway,  riding  to  Varina,  crossing  the  James  on  the  pon- 
toons, and  approaching  the  city  by  the  New  Market  road, 
overtaking  a  division  of  the  Twenty-Fifth  Corps  on  the  out- 
skirts of  the  city.  It  was  a  hard,  exhausting  ride.  Two  miles 
out  from  the  city  my  horse  fell,  and  I  found  myself  turning  a 
summersault  into  the  ditch ;  without  broken  bones,  however, 
»ut  I  was  obliged  to  moderate  my  speed  fbr  the  remainder  of 
Uie  distance. 

Before  entering  upon  the  narrative  of  my  own  observa 
tions,  let  us  take  a  look  at  events  transpiring  in  the  city  ol 
Sunday. 

"  We  are,"  said  the  Sentinel  of  Saturday  evening, "  very  hope- 
ful of  the  campaign  which  is  opening,  and  trust  that  we  are  to 


1865.]  RICHMOND.  501 

reap  a  large  advantage  from  the  operations  evidently  near  at 
hand We  have  only  to  resolve  that  we  never  will  sur- 
render, and  it  will  be  impossible  that  we  shall  ever  be  taken." 

"  My  line  is  broken  in  three  places,  and  Richmond  must  be 
evacuated,"  was  Lee's  despatch  to  Jeff  Davis.  The  messenger 
found  him  in  Rev.  Dr.  Minnegerode's  church.  He  read  the 
despatch,  hurried  to  the  Executive  Mansion,  passed  up  the 
winding  stairway  to  his  business  apartment,  sat  down  by  a 
small  table,  wrote  an  order  for  the  removal  of  the  coin  in  the 
banks  to  Danville,  for  the  burning  of  the  public  documents, 
and  for  the  evacuation  of  the  city.  Mrs.  Davis  had  left  the 
city  several  days  previous. 

Rev.  Dr.  Minnegerode,  before  closing  the  forenoon  service, 
gave  notice  that  General  Ewell  desired  the  local  forces  to  assem- 
ble at  3  P.  M.  There  was  no  evening  service.  Ministers  and 
congregations  were  otherwise  employed.  Rev.  Mr.  Hoge,  a 
fierce  advocate  for  slavery  as  a  beneficent  institution,  packed 
his  carpet-bag.  Rev.  Mr.  Duncan  was  moved  to  do  likewise. 
Mr.  Lumpkin,  who  for  many  years  had  kept  a  slave-trader's 
jail,  had  a  work  of  necessity  on  this  Lord's  day,  —  the  tem- 
poral salvation  of  fifty  men,  women,  and  children  !  He  made 
up  his  coffle  in  the  jail-yard,  within  pistol-shot  of  Jeff  Davis's 
parlor  window,  and  a  stone's  throw  from  the  Monumental 
Church.  The  poor  creatures  were  hurried  to  the  Danville 
depot.  This  sad  and  weeping  fifty,  in  handcuffs  and  chains, 
was  the  last  slave  coffle  that  shall  tread  the  soil  of  America. 

Slavery  being  the  corner-stone  of  the  Confederacy,  it  was 
fitting  that  this  gang,  keeping  step  to  the  music  of  their  clank- 
ing chains,  should  accompany  Jeff  Davis,  his  secretaries  Ben 
jamin  and  Trenholm,  and  the  Reverend  Messrs.  Hoge  and 
Duncan,  in  their  flight.  The  whole  Rebel  government  was 
on  the  move,  and  all  Richmond  desired  to  be.  No  thouglits 
now  of  taking  Washington,  or  of  the  flag  of  the  Confederacy 
flaunting  in  the  breeze  from  the  dome  of  the  national  Capitol ! 
Hundreds  of  officials  were  at  the  depot,  waiting  to  get  away 
from  the  doomed  city.  Public  documents,  the  archives  of  the 
Confederacy,  were  hastily  gathered  up,  tumbled  into  boxes  and 
barrels,  and  taken  to  the  trains,  or  carried  into  the  streets  and 
set  on  fire.     Coaches,  carriages,  wagons,  carts,  wheelbarrows. 


502  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [April, 

everything  in  the  shape  of  a  vehicle,  was  pressed  into  use. 
There  was  a  jumble  of  boxes,  chests,  trunks,  valises,  carpet- 
bags, —  a  crowd  of  excited  men  sweating  as  never  before :  wo- 
men with  dishevelled  hair,*  unmindful  of  their  wardrobes, 
wringing  their  hands,  children  crying  in  the  crowd,  sentinels 
guarding  each  entrance  to  the  train,  pushing  h  ick  at  the  point 
of  the  bayonet  the  panic-stricken  multitude,  giving  precedence 
to  Davis  and  the  high  officials,  and  informing  Mr.  Lumpkin 
tliat  his  niggers  could  not  be  taken.  0,  what  a  loss  was  there  ! 
It  would  have  been  fifty  thousand  dollars  out  of  somebody's 
pocket  in  1861,  and  millions  now  of  Confederate  promises  to 
pay,  which  the  hurrying  multitude  and  that  chained  slave  gang 
were  treading  under  foot,  —  trampling  the  bonds  of  the  Con- 
federate States  of  America  in  the  mire,  as  they  marched  to  the 
station ;  for  the  oozy  streets  were  as  thickly  strewn  with  four 
per  cents,  six  per  cents,  eight  per  cents,  as  forest  streams  with 
autumn  leaves. 

"  The  faith  of  the  Confederate  States  is  pledged  to  provide 
and  establish  sufficient  revenues  for  the  regular  payment  of 
the  interest,  and  for  the  redemption  of  the  principal,"  read 
the  bonds ;  but  there  was  a  sudden  eclipse  of  faith,  a  collapse 
of  confidence,  a  shrivelling  up  like  a  parched  scroll  of  the 
entire  Confederacy,  which  was  a  base  counterfeit  of  the  Ameri- 
can Union  it  sought  to  overturn  and  supplant,  now  an  exploded 
concern,  and  wound  up  by  Grant's  orders,  its  bonds,  notes,  and 
certificates  of  indebtedness  worth  less  than  the  paper  on  which 
they  were  printed. 

Soon  after  dark  the  commissaries,  having  loaded  all  the 
army  wagons  with  supplies,  began  the  destruction  of  what  they 
could  not  carry  away.  In  the  medical  purveyor's  department 
were  several  hundred  barrels  of  whiskey,  which  were  rolled  into 
the  street  and  stove  in  by  soldiers  with  axes.  As  the  liquor 
-an  down  the  gutter,  officers  and  -  iers  filled  their  flasks 
and  canteens,  while  those  who  had  no  canteen  threw  them- 
selves upon  the  ground  and  drank  from  the  fiery  stream.  Tlie 
rabble  with  pitchers,  basins,  dipped  it  up  and  drank  as  if  it 
were  the  wine  of  life.  The  liquor  soon  began  to  show  its  effects. 
The  crowd  became  a  mob,  and  rushed  upon  the  stores  and 
government  warehouses.     The  soldiers  on  guard  at  first  kept 


1864.]  *  RICHMOND.  503 

them  at  bay,  but  as  the  darkness  deepened  the  whiskey-mad- 
dened crowd  became  more  furious.  By  midnight  there  was  a 
grand  saturnalia.  The  flour  in  the  government  stores  was  seized. 
Men  were  seen  rolling  hogsheads-  of  bacon  through  the  streets. 
Women  filled  their  aprons  with  meal,  their  arms  with  candles. 
Later  in  the  night  the  floating  debris  of  the  army  reached  the 
city,  —  the  teamsters,  servants,  ambulance-drivers,  with  strag- 
glers from  the  ranks,  who  pillaged  the  stores.  First  attack- 
ing the  clothing,  boot,  and  hat  stores,  then  the  jewellers'  shops 
and  the  saloons,  and  lastly  the  dry-goods  establishments.  Costly 
panes  of  glass  were  shivered  by  the  butts  of  their  muskets,  and 
the  reckless  crowd  poured  in  to  seize  whatever  for  the  moment 
pleased  their  fancy,  to  be  thrown  aside  the  next  instant  for 
something  more  attractive. 

"  As  I  passed  the  old  market-house,"  writes  a  Rebel  soldier, 
"  I  met  a  tall  fellow  with  both  arms  full  of  sticks  of  candy, 
dropping  part  of  his  sweet  burden  at  every  step." 

"  Stranger,"  said  he,  "  have  you  got  a  sweet  tooth  ?  " 

"  I  told  him  that  I  did  not  object  to  candy." 

"  Then  go  up  to  Antoni's  and  get  your  belly  full,  and  all  for 
nothing." 

"  A  citizen  passed  me  with  an  armful  of  hats  and  caps.  '  It 
is  every  man  for  himself  and  the  Devil  for  us  all  to-night,'  he 
said,  as  he  rushed  past  me."  * 

The  train  which  bore  Jefi*  Davis  from  the  city  left  at  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening.  He  took  his  horses  and  coach  on  board 
for  a  flight  across  the  country,  in  case  Sheridan  stopped  tlio 
cars.  He  was  greatly  depressed  in  spirits,  and  his  counto- 
nance  was  haggard  and  care-worn.  At  the  station  there  was  a 
crowd  of  men  who  had  fawned  upon  him,  —  office-holders, 
legislators,  and  public-spirited  citizens  who  had  made  great 
sacrifices  for  the  Rebellion,  —  who,  now  that  they  wished  to 
obtain  standing  room  upon  the  train,  found  themselves  rudely 
thrust  aside  by  the  orders  of  the  President.  They  were  of  no 
more  account  than  the  rest  of  the  excited  populace  that  knew 
Davis  but  to  execrate  him. 

In  the  Sabbath  evening  twilight,  the  train,  with  the  fugitive 

*  A  Rebel  Courier's  Experience. 


504  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  .  [April, 

government,  its  stolen  bullion,  and  its  Doctors  of  Divinity  on 
board,  moved  out  from  the  city. 

At  the  same  hour  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  William  Smith, 
and  the  Legislature,  embarked  in  a  canal-boat,  on  the  James 
River  and  Kanawha  Canal,  for  Lynchburg.  On  all  the  roads 
were  men,  women,  and  children,  in  carriages  of  every  descrip- 
tion, with  multitudes  on  liorseback  and  on  foot,  flying  from 
the  Rebel  capital.  Men  who  could  not  get  away  were  secretly 
at  work,  during  those  night-hours,  burying  plate  and  money  in 
gardens ;  ladies  secreted  their  jewels,  barred  and  bolted  theij 
doors,  and  passed  a  sleepless  night,  fearful  of  the  morrow, 
which  would  bring  in  the  despised  "  Vandal  horde  of  Yankee 
ruffians  "  ;  for  such  were  the  epithets  they  had  persistently  ap- 
plied to  the  soldiers  of  the  Union  throughout  the  war. 

But  the  government  was  not  quite  through  with  its  operar 
tions  in  Richmond.  General  Ewell  remained  till  daylight  on 
Monday  morning  to  clear  up  things,  —  not  to  burn  public 
archives  in  order  to  destroy  evidence  of  Confederate  villany, 
but  to  add  to  the  crime  already  committed  another  so  atrocious 
that  the  stanchest  friends  of  the  Confederacy  recoiled  with  hor- 
ror even  from  its  contemplation. 

It  was  past  midnight  when  the  Mayor  learned  that  Ewell 
had  issued  orders  for  firing  the  government  buildings  and  the 
tobacco  warehouses.  He  sent  a  deputation  of  prominent  citi- 
fens  to  remonstrate.  They  were  referred  to  Major  Melton,  who 
was  to  apply  the  torch. 

"  It  is  a  cowardly  pretext  on  the  part  of  the  citizens,  trumped 
up  to  save  their  property  for  the  Yankees,"  said  he. 

The  committee  endeavored  to  dissuade  him  from  the  act. 

"  I  shall  execute  my  orders,"  said  he. 

They  went  to  General  Ewell,  who  with  an  oath  informed 
them  that  the  torch  would  be  applied  at  daylight.  Brecken- 
ridge  was  there,  who  said  that  it  would  be  a  disgrace  to  the 
Confederate  government  to  endanger  the  destruction  of  the 
entire  city.  He  was  Secretary  of  War,  and  could  have  coun- 
termanded the  order.     Will  not  liistory  hold  him  accountable  ? 

To  prevent  the  United  States  from  obtaining  possession  of  a 
few  thousand  hogsheads  of  tobacco,  a  thousand  houses  were 
•lestroyed  by  fire,  the  heart  of  the  city  burnt  out,  —  all  of  the 


1865.]  RICHMOND.  506 

business  portion,  all  the  banks  and  insurance-offices,  half  of 
the  newspapers,  with  mills,  depots,  bridges,  founderies,  work- 
shops, dwellings,  churches,  —  thirty  squares  in  all,  swept  clean 
by  the  devouring  flames.  It  was  the  final  work  of  the  Confed- 
erate government.  Inaugurated  in  heat  and  passion,  carried 
on  by  hate  and  prejudice,  its  end  was  but  in  keeping  with  its 
career,  —  the  total  disregard  of  the  rights  of  person  and  prop- 
erty. 

In  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  on  the  Mechanicsville  road,  was 
the  almshouse,  filled  with  the  lame,  the  blind,  the  lialt,  poor, 
sick,  bed-ridden  creatures.  Ten  rods  distant  was  a  magazine 
containing  fifteen  or  twenty  kegs  of  powder,  which  might  have 
been  rolled  into  the  creek  near  at  hand,  and  was  of  little  value 
to  a  victorious  army  with  full  supplies  of  ammunition ;  but  the 
order  of  Jeff*  Davis  to  blow  up  the  magazines  was  peremptory 
and  must  be  executed. 

'^  We  give  you  fifteen  minutes  to  get  out  of  the  way,"  was 
the  sole  notice  to  that  crowd  of  helpless  beings  lying  in  their 
cots,  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Men  and  women  begged 
for  mercy  ;  but  their  cries  were  in  vain.  The  officer  in  charge 
of  the  matter  was  inexorable.  Clotheless  and  shoeless,  the  in- 
mates ran  in  terror  from  the  spot  to  seek  shelter  in  the  ravines ; 
but  those  who  could  not  run  while  the  train  to  fire  it  was  being 
laid,  rent  the  air  with  shrieks  of  agony.  The  match  was  ap- 
plied at  the  time.  The  concussion  crushed  in  the  broad  side 
of  the  house  as  if  it  had  been  pasteboard.  Windows  flew  into 
flinders.  Bricks,  stones,  timbers,  beams,  and  boards  were 
whirled  through  the  air.  Trees  were  twisted  oiF  like  withes  in 
the  hands  of  a  giant.  The  city  was  wrenched  and  rocked  as  by 
a  volcanic  convulsion.  The  dozen  poor  wretches  whose  infirmi- 
ties prevented  their  leaving  the  house  wore  horribly  mangled  ; 
and  when  the  fugitives  who  had  sought  shelter  in  the  fields  re- 
turned to  the  ruins  they  found  only  the  bruised  and  blackened 
remains  of  their  fellow-inmates. 

Let  us  take  a  parting  glance  at  the  Rebel  army  as  it  leaves 
the  city. 

The  day  is  brightening  in  the  east.  The  long  line  of  bag- 
gage-wagons and  the  artillery  has  been  rumbling  over  the 
bridges  all  night.     The  railroad  trains  have  been  busy  in  con- 


606  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  L^P^il) 

vejing  the  persons  and  property  of  both  the  government  and 
the  people  ;  but  the  last  has  departed,  and  still  a  disappointed 
crowd  is  left  at  the  depot.  The  roads  leading  west  are  filled 
with  fugitives  in  all  sorts  of  vehicles,  and  on  horseback  and  on 
foot. 

Men  are  rolling  bai-rels  of  tar  and  turpentine  upon  the 
bridges.  Guards  stand  upon  the  Manchester  side  to  prevent 
the  return  of  any  soldier  belonging  to  Richmond.  Custis 
Lee's  division  has  crossed,  and  Kershaw's  division,  mainly  of 
South  Carolinians,  follows.  The  troops  march  silently;  they 
are  depressed  in  spirit.  The  rabble  of  Manchester  have  found 
out  what  fine  times  their  friends  in  Richmond  are  having,  and 
old  women  and  girls  are  streaming  across  the  bridges  laden  with 
plunder,  —  webs  of  cloth,  blankets,  overcoats,  and  food  from 
the  government  storehouses.  The  war-worn  soldiers,  ragged 
and  barefoot,  behold  it,  and  utter  curses  against  the  Confeder- 
ate government  for  having  deprived  them  of  clothing  and  food. 

General  Ewell  crosses  the  bridge,  riding  an  iron-gray  horse. 
He  wears  an  old  faded  cloak  and  slouch  hat.  He  is  brutal 
and  profane,  mingling  oaths  with  his  orders.  Following  him  is 
John  Cabel  Breckenridge,  the  long,  black,  glossy  hair  of  other 
days  changed  to  gray,  his  high,  broad  forehead  wrinked  and 
furrowed.  He  is  in  plain  black,  with  a  talma  thrown  over  his 
shoulders.  He  talks  with  Ewell,  and  gazes  upon  the  scene. 
Suddenly  a  broad  flash  of  light  leaps  up  beyond  the  city,  accom- 
panied with  a  dull,  heavy  roar,  and  he  sees  the  air  filled  with 
flying  timbers  of  the  hospital,  whose  inmates,  almost  without 
warning,  and  without  cause  or  crime,  are  blown  into  eternity. 

The  last  division  has  crossed  the  river.  The  sun  is  up.  A 
match  is  touched  to  the  turpentine  spread  along  the  timbers, 
and  the  bridges  are  in  flames  ;  also  the  tobacco  warehouses,  the 
flouring-mills,  the  arsenals,  and  laboratory.  The  Rebel  troops 
behold  the  conflagration  as  they  wind  along  the  roads  and 
through  the  green  fields  towards  the  southwest,  and  memory 
brings  back  the  scenes  of  their  earlier  rejoicing.  It  is  the  2d 
of  April,  four  years  lacking  two  weeks  since  the  drunken 
carousal  over  the  passage  of  the  ordinance  of  Secession. 

It  was  a  little  past  four  o'clock  when  Major  A.  H.  Stevens 
of  the  Fourth  Massachusetts  cavalry,  and  Provost  Marshal  ot 


1865.]  RICELMOND.  507 

the  Twenty-Fifth  Army  Corps,  with  detachments  from  compa 
nies  E  and  H,  started  upon  a  reconnoissance  of  the  enemy's 
hitrenchments.  He  found  them  evacuated  and  the  guns 
spiked.  A  deserter  piloted  the  detachment  safely  over  the  tor- 
pedoes which  had  been  planted  in  front  of  them.  A  mile  and 
a  half  out  from  the  city,  Major  Stevens  met  a  barouche  and 
five  men  mounted  bearing  a  white  flag.  The  party  consisted 
of  the  Mayor,  Judge  Meredith  of  the  Confederate  States  Court, 
and  other  gentlemen,  who  tendered  the  surrender  of  the  city. 
He  went  into  the  city  and  was  received  with  joy  by  the  col- 
ored people,  who  shouted  their  thanks  to  the  Lord  that  the 
Yankees  had  come.  He  proceeded  to  the  Capitol,  ascended 
the  roof,  pulled  down  the  State  flag  which  was  flying,  and  raised 
the  guidons  of  the  two  companies  upon  the  building. 

The  flames  were  spreading,  and  the  people,  horror-struck  and 
stupefied  by  the  events  of  the  night,  were  powerless  to  arrest 
them.  On,  on,  from  dwelling  to  warehouse,  from  store  to  hotel, 
from  hotel  to  banks,  to  the  newspaper  ofiices,  to  churches,  all 
along  Main  Street  from  near  the  Spottswood  Hotel  to  the 
eastern  end  of  the  town ;  then  back  to  the  river,  to  the  bridges 
across  the  James,  up  to  the  large  stone  fire-proof  building, 
erected  by  the  United  States  for  a  post-office,  full  of  Confed- 
erate shinplasters,  around  this,  on  both  sides  of  it,  up  to  Cap- 
itol Square,  the  flames  roared  and  leaped  and  crackled,  con- 
suming all  the  business  part  of  the  city.  In  the  arsenal  were 
several  thousand  shells,  which  exploded  at  intervals,  throwing 
fragments  of  iron,  burning  timbers,  and  blazing  brands  and 
cinders  over  the  surrounding  buildings,  and  driving  the  people 
from  their  homes. 

Major  Stevens  ordered  the  fire-engines  into  position,  posted 
his  soldiers  to  preserve  order,  and  called  upon  the  citizens  to 
work  the  engines,  and  did  what  he  could  to  stop  the  progress 
of  the  devouring  element. 

General  Weitzel  triumphantly  entered  the  city  at  eight 
o'clock,  the  colored  soldiers  singing  the  John  Brown  song. 
With  even  ranks  and  steady  step,  colors  waving,  drums  beat- 
ing, bands  playing,  the  columns  passed  up  the  streets,  flanked 
with  fire,  to  the  Capitol.  Then  stacking  their  guns,  and  laying 
aside  their  knapsacks,  they  sprang  to  the  engines,  or  mounted 


508  THE   BOYS  OF   '61.  [April, 

the  roofs  and  poured  in  buckets  of  water,  or  tore  down  build 
ings,  to  stop  the  ravages  of  the  fire  kindled  by  the  departing 
Rebels,  —  emulating  the  noble  example  of  their  comrades  in 
arms  at  Charleston ;  like  them  manifesting  no  vindictiveness 
of  spirit,  but  forgetting  self  in  their  devotion  to  duty,  forget- 
ting wrong  and  insult  and  outrage  in  their  desire  to  serve  their 
oppressors  in  their  hour  of  extremity. 

The  business  portion  was  a  sea  of  flame  when  I  entered  the 
city  in  the  afternoon.  I  tried  to  pass  through  Main  Street, 
but  on  both  sides  the  fire  was  roaring  and  walls  were  tumbling. 
I  turned  into  a  side  street,  rode  up  to  the  Capitol,  and  then  to 
the  Spottswood  Hotel.  Dr.  Reed's  church  in  front  was  in 
flames.  On  the  three  sides  of  the  hotel  the  fire  had  been 
raging,  but  was  nuw  subdued,  and  there  was  a  fair  prospect 
that  it  would  be  saved. 

"  Can  you  accommodate  me  with  a  room  ?  " 

*'  I  reckon  we  can,  sir,  but  like  enough  you  will  be  burnt  out 
before  morning.  You  can  have  any  room  you  choose.  No- 
body here." 

I  registeiv^vi  my  name  on  a  page  which  bore  the  names  of  a 
score  of  Rebel  ofhcers  who  had  left  in  the  morning,  and  took  a 
room  on  the  first  floor,  from  which  I  could  easily  spring  to  the 
ground  in  case  the  hotel  should  be  again  endangered  by  the  fire. 

Throwing  up  the  sash  I  looked  out  upon  the  scene.  There 
were  swaying  chimneys,  tottering  walls,  streets  impassable  from 
piles  of  brick,  stones,  and  rubbish.  Capitol  Square  was  filled 
with  furniture,  beds,  clothing,  crockery,  chairs,  tables,  looking- 
glasses.  Women  were  weeping,  children  crying.  Men  stood 
speechless,  haggard,  wobegone,  gazing  at  the  desolation. 

In  Charleston  the  streets  echoed  only  to  the  sound  of  my 
own  footsteps  or  the  snarling  of  hungry  curs.  There  I  walked 
tlirough  weeds,  and  trod  upon  flowers  in  the  grassy  streets ; 
but  in  Richmond  I  waded  through  Confederate  promises  to 
pay,  public  documents,  and  broken  furniture  and  crockery. 

Granite  columns,  iron  pillars,  marble  fa9ades,  broken  into 
thousands  of  pieces,  blocked  the  streets.  The  Bank  of  Rich- 
mond, Bank  of  the  Commonwealth,  Traders'  Bank,  Bank  of 
Virginia,  Farmers'  Bank,  a  score  of  private  banking-houses, 
the  American  Hotel,  the  Columbian  Hotel,  the  Enquirer  and 


1865.]  RICHMOND  *  509 

the  Dispatch  printing-offices,  the  Confederate  Post-Office  De- 
partment, the  State  Court-House,  the  Mechanics'  Institute,  all 
the  insurance  offices,  the  Confederate  War  Department,  the 
Confederate  Arsenal,  the  Laboratory,  Dr.  Reed's  church,  sct- 
eral  founderies  and  machine-shops,  the  Henrico  County  Court 
House,  the  Danville  and  the  Petersburg  depots,  the  three 
bridges  across  the  James,  the  great  flourmg-mills,  and  all  the 
best  stores  of  the  city,  were  destroyed. 

Soldiers  from  General  Devens's  command  were  on  the  roof 
of  the  Capitol,  Governor's  house,  and  other  buildings,  ready  to 
extinguish  the  flames.  The  Capitol  several  times  caught  fire 
from  cinders. 

"  If  it  had  not  been  for  the  soldiers  the  whole  city  would 
have  gone,"  said  a  citizen. 

The  colored  soldiers  in  Capitol  Square  were  dividing  their 
rations  with  the  houseless  women  and  children,  giving  them 
hot  coffee,  sweetened  with  sugar,  —  such  as  they  had  not  tasted 
for  many  months.  There  were  ludicrous  scenes.  One  negro 
had  three  Dutch-ovens  on  his  head,  piled  one  above  another, 
a  stew-pan  in  one  hand  and  a  skillet  in  the  other.  Women  had 
bags  of  flour  in  their  arms,  baskets  of  salt  and  pails  of  molas- 
ses, or  sides  of  bacon.  No  miser  ever  gloated  over  his  gold  so 
eagerly  as  they  over  their  supply  of  provisions.  They  had  aU 
but  starved,  but  now  they  could  eat  till  satisfied. 

How  stirring  the  events  of  that  day !  Lee  retreating.  Grant 
pursuing ;  Davis  a  fugitive ;  the  Governor  and  Legislature  of 
Virginia  seeking  safety  in  a  canal-boat ;  Doctors  of  Divinity 
fleeing  fii'om  the  wrath  they  feared ;  the  troops  of  the  Union 
marching  up  the  streets  ;  the  old  flag  waving  over  the  Capitol ; 
Rebel  iron-clads  blowing  up ;  Richmond  on  fire ;  the  billows 
rolling  from  square  to  square,  unopposed  in  their  progress  by 
the  bewildered  crowd  ;  and  the  Northern  Vandals  laying  down 
their  arms,  not  to  tlie  enemy  in  the  field,  but  the  better  to  battle 
with  a  foe  not  more  relentless,  but  less  controllable  with  the 
weapons  of  war.  Weird  the  scenes  of  that  strange,  eventful 
night, —  the  glimmering  flames,  the  clouds  of  smoke  hanging 
like  a  funeral  pall  above  the  ruins,  the  crowd  of  homeless  crea- 
tures wandering  the  streets. 

"  Such  resting  found  the  soles  of  un blest  feet  I " 


610  THE  BOYS  OF  '61  [April, 

lu  the  morning  I  visit€/d  the  Capitol  building,  which,  like  the 
Confederacy,  had  become  exceedingly  dilapidated,  the  windows 
broken,  the  carpets  faded,  the  paint  dingy. 

General  Weitzel  was  in  the  Senate  Chamber  issuing  his 
orders ;  also  General  Shepley,  Military  Governor,  and  General 
Devens. 

The  door  opened,  and  a  smooth-faced  man,  with  a  keen  eye, 
firm,  quick,  resolute  step,  entered.  He  wore  a  plain  blue  blouse 
with  three  stars  on  the  collar.  It  was  the  hero  who  opened 
the  way  to  New  Orleans,  and  who  fought  the  battle  of  the 
Mobile  forts  from  the  mast-head  of  his  vessel,  —  Admiral  Far- 
ragut.  He  was  accompanied  by  General  Gordon  of  Massachu- 
setts, commanding  the  Department  of  Norfolk.  They  heard 
the  news  Monday  noon,  and  made  all  haste  up  the  James, 
landing  at  Varina  and  taking  horses  to  the  city.  It  was  a 
pleasure  to  take  the  brave  Admiral's  hand,  and  answer  his 
eager  questions  as  to  what  Grant  had  done.  Being  latest 
of  all  present  from  Petersburg,  I  could  give  him  the  desired 
information.  "  Thank  God,  it  is  about  over,"  said  he  of  the 
Rebellion. 

It  was  a  little  past  noon  when  I  walked  down  to  the  river 
bank  to  view  the  desolation.  While  there  I  saw  a  boat  pulled 
by  twelve  rowers  coming  up  stream,  containing  President  Lin- 
coln and  his  little  son,  Admiral  Porter,  and  three  officers. 
Forty  or  fifty  freedmen  —  sole  possessors  of  themselves  for 
twenty-four  hours  —  were  at  work  on  the  bank  of  the  canal, 
under  the  direction  of  a  lieutenant,  securing  some  floating 
timber ;  they  crowded  round  the  President,  forgetting  work  in 
their  wild  joy  at  beholding  the  face  of  the  author  of  the  great 
Emancipation  Proclamation.  As  he  approached  I  said  to  a 
colored  woman, — 

''  There  is  the  man  who  made  you  tree." 

"  What,  massa  ?  " 

''  That  is  President  Lincoln." 

''  Dat  President  Linkum  ?  " 

'^  Yes." 

She  gazed  at  him  a  moment  in  amazement,  joy,  rapture,  a.*- 
if  in  supernal  presence,  then  clapped  her  hands,  jumped  ajid 
shouted,  "  Glory  !  ^lory  I  glory  !  " 


FARRAGUT    AT    MOBILE. 


1865.]  RICHMOND.  511 

"  God  bless  you,  Sah !  "  said  one,  taking  off  his  cap  and 
bowing  very  low. 

"  Hurrah !  hurrah  !  President  Linkum  hab  come !  Presi- 
dent Linkum  hab  come !  "  rang  through  the  street. 

The  lieutenant  found  himself  without  men.  What  cared 
those  freedmen,  fresh  from  the  house  of  bondage,  for  floating 
timber  or  military  commands?  Their  deliverer  had  come, — 
he  who,  next  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  was  their  best  friend !  It  was 
not  a  hurrah  that  they  gave  so  much  as  a  wild,  jubilant  cry  o^ 
inexpressible  joy. 

They  pressed  round  the  President,  ran  ahead,  and  hovered 
upon  the  flanks  and  rear  of  the  little  company.  Men,  women, 
and  children  joined  the  constantly  increasing  throng.  They 
came  from  all  the  streets,  running  in  breathless  haste,  shout 
ing  and  hallooing,  and  dancing  with  delight.  The  men  threw 
up  their  hats,  the  women  waved  their  bonnets  and  handker 
chiefs,  clapped  their  hands,  and  shouted,  "  Glory  to  God ! 
glory  !  glory  !  glory  !  "  —  rendering  all  the  praise  to  God,  who 
had  given  them  freedom,  after  long  years  of  weary  waiting,  and 
had  permitted  them  thus  unexpectedly  to  meet  their  great 
benefactor. 

"  I  thank  you,  dear  Jesus,  that  I  behold  President  Linkum ! " 
was  the  exclamation  of  a  woman  who  stood  upon  the  thresh- 
old of  her  humble  home,  and  with  streaming  eyes  and  clasped 
hands,  gave  thanks  aloud  to  the  Saviour  of  men. 

Another,  more  demonstrative,  was  jumping  and  swinging 
her  arms,  crying,  "  Bless  de  Lord !  Bless  de  Lord !  Bless  de 
Lord ! "  as  if  there  could  be  no  end  of  her  thankfulness. 

No  carnage  was  to  be  had,  so  the  President,  leading  his 
son,  walked  to  General  Weitzel's  head-quarters,  —  Jeff  Davis's 
mansion.  Six  sailors,  wearing  their  round  blue  caps  and  short 
jackets  and  baggy  pants,  with  navy  carbines,  formed  the  guard. 
Next  came  the  President  and  Admiral  Porter,  flanked  by  the 
officers  accompanying  him,  and  the  writer,  then  six  more  sail- 
ors with  carbines,  —  twenty  of  us  in  all. 

The  walk  was  long,  and  the  President  halted  a  moment  to 
rest.  "  May  de  good  Lord  bless  you,  President  Linkum  !  "  said 
an  old  negro,  reriaoving  his  hat  and  bowing,  with  tears  of  joy 
rolling  down  his  cheeks.     The  President  removed  his  own  hat. 


612  THE  BOYS  OF  'Gi.  [April, 

and  bowed  iii  cilence :  it  was  a  bow  wbich  upset  the  forms, 
laws,  customs,  and  ceremonies  of  centuries  of  slavery.  It  was 
a  death-shock  to  chivalry,  and  a  mortal  wound  to  caste.  Rec- 
ognize a  nigger !  Disgusting.  A  woman  in  an  adjoining  house 
beheld  it,  and  turned  from  the  scene  with  unspeakable  con- 
tempt. There  were  men  in  the  surging  mass  who  looked  dag- 
gers from  their  eyes,  and  felt  murder  in  their  hearts,  if  they 
did  not  breathe  it  from  their  lips.  But  the  hour  of  sacrifice 
had  not  yet  come ;  the  chosen  assassin  was  not  there ;  the 
crowning  work  of  treason  and  traitors  yet  remained  to  be  per- 
formed. Not  the  capital  of  the  defunct  slave  Confederacy,  but 
of  the  restored  nation,  was  to  be  the  scene  of  the  last  bruta' 
act  in  the  tragedy  of  horrors  perpetrated  in  the  name  of  Chris 
tianity.  The  great-hearted,  noble-minded,  wise-headed  man, 
whom  Providence  had  placed  in  the  Executive  chair  to  carry 
successfully  through  the  bloody  war  of  freedom  against  slavery 
to  its  glorious  consummation,  passed  on  to  the  mansion  from 
whence  the  usurping  President  had  fled. 

When  the  soldiers  saw  him  amid  the  noisy  crowd  they 
cheered  lustily.  It  was  an  unexpected  ovation.  Such  a  wel- 
come, such  homage,  true,  heartfelt,  deep,  impassioned,  no 
prince  or  prelate  ever  received. 

The  streets  becoming  impassable  on  account  of  the  increas- 
ing multitude,  soldiers  were  summoned  to  clear  the  way.  How 
strange  the  event  1  The  President  of  the  United  States  —  he 
who  had  been  hated,  despised,  maligned  above  all  other  men 
living  by  the  people  of  Richmond  —  was  walking  its  streets, 
receiving  every  evidence  of  love  and  honor !  How  bitter  the 
reflections  of  that  moment  to  some  who  beheld  him,  who  re- 
membered, perhaps,  that  day  in  May,  1861,  when  Jefferson 
Davis  entered  the  city,  —  the  pageant  of  that  hour,  liis  speech, 
his  promise  to  smite  the  smiter,  to  drench  the  fields  of  Virginia 
with  richer  blood  than  that  shed  at  Buena  Vista !  How  that 
part  of  the  promise  had  been  kept ;  how  their  sons,  brothers, 
and  friends  had  fallen  ;  how  all  else  predicted  had  failed ;  how 
the  land  had  been  filled  with  mourning;  how  the  State  had 
become  a  desolation  ;  how  their  property,  wealtli,  had  disap- 
peared !  They  had  been  invited  to  a  gorgeous  banquet ;  the 
Cruit  was  fair  to   the  eye,  golden  and  beautiful,  but  it  had 


1865.]  RICHMOND.  518 

turned  to  ashes.  They  had  been  promised  a  high  place  among 
the  nations.  Cotton  was  the  king  of  kings  ;  and  England, 
France,  and  the  whole  civilized  world  would  bow  in  humble 
submission  to  his  majesty.  That  was  the  promise ;  but  now 
their  king  was  dethroned,  their  government  overthrown,  their 
President  and  his  cabinet  vagrants.  They  had  been  promised 
affluence,  Richmond  was  to  be  the  metropolis  of  the  Confeder^ 
acy,  and  Virginia  the  all-powerful  State  of  the  new  nation. 
How  terrible  the  cheat !  Their  thousand-dollar  bonds  were 
not  worth  a  penny.  A  million  dollars  would  not  purchase  a 
dinner.  Their  money  was  valueless,  their  slaves  were  freemen, 
the  heart  of  their  city  was  in  ashes.  They  had  been  deluded 
in  every  tiling.  Those  whom  they  had  most  trusted  had  most 
abused  tlieir  confidence ;  and  at  last,  in  the  most  unfeeling  and 
inhuman  manner,  had  fired  their  dwellings,  destroying  property 
they  could  no  longer  use  or  levy  upon,  thus  adding  arson  and 
robbery  to  the  already  long  list  of  their  crimes. 

The  people  of  Richmond  were  in  despair,  having  no  means  for 
present  subsistence,  or  to  rebuild  or  commence  business  again. 
All  their  heroism,  liardship,  sufiering,  expenditure  of  treasure, 
and  sacrifice  of  blood  had  availed  them  nothing.  There  could 
be  no  comfort  in  their  mourning,  no  alleviation  to  their  sorrow. 
All  had  been  lost  in  an  unrighteous  cause,  which  God  had  not 
prospered,  and  no  satisfaction  could  be  derived  from  their  par- 
ticipation in  it.  For  try  to  deceive  themselves  as  they  might 
into  a  belief  that  the  conflict  was  unavoidable  by  the  encroach- 
ments of  the  North  upon  the  South,  they  could  but  remember 
the  security  and  peace  they  enjoyed  in  the  Union,  little  of 
which  they  had  felt  or  dared  hope  for  in  their  Utopion  scheme 
of  slavery. 

At  length  we  reached  the  house  from  which  Jeff  Davis  had 
so  recently  departed,  where  General  Weitzel  had  established 
his  head-quarters.  The  President  entered  and  sat  wearily  down 
in  an  arm-chair  which  stood  in  the  fugitive  President's  recep- 
tion-room. General  Weitzel  introduced  the  officers  present. 
Judge  Campbell  entered.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war  he  was 
on  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  after- 
wards espoused  Secession,  and  was  appointed  assistant  Secre- 
tary of  War  under  Seddon.  He  was  tall,  and  looked  pale, 
as 


&14  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [April, 

care-worn,  agitated,  and  bowed  very  low  to  the  President,  who 
received  him  witli  dignity,  and  yet  cordially. 

President  Lincoln,  accompanied  by  Admiral  Porter,  General 
Weitzel,  and  General  Shepley,  rode  through  the  city,  escorted 
by  a  squadron  of  cavalry,  followed  by  thousands  of  colored 
people,  shouting  "  Glory  to  God  !  "  They  had  seen  great  hard- 
ship and  suffering.  A  few  were  well  dressed.  Some  wore 
pants  of  Union  blue  and  coats  of  Confederate  gray.  Othere 
were  in  rags.  The  President  was  much  affected  as  they 
crowded  around  the  carriage  to  touch  his  hands,  and  pour  out 
their  thanks.  "  They  that  walked  in  darkness  had  seen  a  great 
light."  Their  great  deliverer  was  among  them.  He  came  not 
as  a  conqueror,  not  as  the  head  of  a  mighty  nation,  — 

"  Not  with  the  roll  of  the  stirring  drum, 
Nor  the  trumpet  that  sings  of  fame,"  — 

but  as  a  plain,  unpretending  Ajuerican  citizen,  a  representative 
republican  Chief  Magistrate,  unheralded,  almost  unattended, 
with  "  malice  towards  none,  with  charity  for  all,"  as  he  had 
but  a  few  .weeks  previously  proclaimed  from  the  steps  of  the 
Capitol  at  Washington. 

He  visited  Libby  prison,  breathed  for  a  moment  its  fetid  air, 
gazed  upon  the  iron-grated  windows  and  the  reeking  filth  upon 
the  slippery  floors,  and  gave  way  to  uncontrollable  emotions. 

Libby  Prison !  What  horrors  it  recalls !  What  sighs  and 
groans !  What  prayers  and  tears  !  What  dying  out  of  hope ! 
What  wasting  away  of  body  and  mind  !  What  nights  of  dark- 
ness settling  on  human  souls  !  Its  door  an  entrance  to  a  living 
charnel-house,  its  iron-barred  windows  but  the  outlook  of  hell ! 
It  was  the  Inferno  of  the  slave  Confederacy.  Well  might  have 
been  written  over  its  portal,  "  All  hope  abandon,  ye  who  enter 
here." 

Visiting  the  prison  the  next  morning,  I  foimd  it  occupied  by 
several  hundred  Rebels,  who  were  peering  from  the  grated 
windows,  looking  sadly  upon  the  desolation  around  them.  A 
large  number  were  upon  the  roof,  breathing  the  fresh  air,  and 
gazing  upon  the  fields  beyond  the  James,  now  green  with  the 
verdure  of  spring.  Such  liberty  was  never  granted  Union  pris- 
oners. Whoever  approached  the  prison  bars,  or  laid  his  hand 
upon  them,  became  the  victim  of  a  Rebel  bullet. 


L865.]  RICHMOND.  515 

There  was  a  crowd  of  women  with  pails  and  buckets  at  th« 
windows,  giving  the  prisoners  provisions  and  talking  freely 
with  their  friends,  who  came  not  only  to  the  windows,  but  to 
the  door,  where  the  good-natured  sentinel  allowed  conversation 
without  restraint. 

The  officer  in  charge  conducted  our  party  through  the  wai*ds 
The  air  was  saturated  with  vile  odors,  arising  from  the  un- 
washed crowd,  —  from  old  rags  and  dirty  garments,  from 
puddles  of  filthy  water  which  dripped  through  the  floor,  ran 
down  the  walls,  sickening  to  all  the  senses.  From  this  prisoi* 
fifteen  hundred  men  were  hurried  to  the  flag-of-truce  boat  on 
Sunday,  that  they  might  be  exchanged  before  the  evacuation 
of  the  city.  Many  thousands  had  lived  there  month  after 
month,  wasting  away,  starving,  dying  of  fever,  of  consumption, 
of  all  diseases  known  to  medical  science,  —  from  insanity,  de- 
spair, idiocy,  —  having  no  communication  with  the  outer  world, 
no  food  from  friends,  no  sympathy,  no  compassion,  —  tortured 
to  death  through  rigor  of  imprisonment,  by  men  whose  hearts 
grew  harder  from  day  to  day  by  the  brutality  they  practised. 

"  Please  give  mo  a  bit  of  bread,  Aunty,  I  am  starving,"  wae 
the  plea  one  day  of  a  young  soldier  who  saw  a  negro  womaL 
passing  the  window.  He  thrust  his  emaciated  hand  between 
the  bars  and  clutched  the  bit  which  she  cheerfully  gave  him ; 
but  before  it  had  passed  between  his  teeth  he  saw  the  brains 
of  his  benefactress  spattered  upon  the  sidewalk  by  the  sentinel ! 

Although  the  city  was  in  possession  of  the  Union  forces, 
there  were  many  residents  who  believed  that  Lee  would  re- 
trieve the  disaster. 

"  I  was  sorry,"  said  a  citizen,  "  to  see  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
torn  down  in  1861.  It  is  the  prettiest  flag  in  the  world,  but  1 
shed  tears  when  I  saw  it  raised  over  the  Capitol  of  Virginia  on 
Sunday  morning." 

"  Why  so  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Because  it  was  done  without  the  consent  of  the  State  of 
Virginia." 

"  Then  you  still  cling  to  the  idea  that  a  State  is  more  than 
the  nation." 

"  Yes  ;  State  rights  above  everything." 

"  Don't  you  think  the  war  is  almost  over, —  that  it  is  uselesi 
tor  Lee  to  contend  further  ?  " 


616  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [April, 

"  No.  He  will  fight  another  battle,  and  he  will  win.  He 
can  fight  for  twenty-five  years  in  the  mountains  ?  " 

"  Do  you  think  that  men  can  live  in  the  mountains  ? '' 

"  Yes  ;  on  roots  and  herbs,  and  fight  you  till  you  are  weary 
of  it,  and  whip  you  out." 

A  friend  called  upon  one  of  the  most  aristocratic  families  of 
**he  place.  He  found  that  men  and  women  alike  were  exceed- 
ingly bitter  and  defiant.  They  never  would  yield.  They  would 
fight  through  a  generation,  and  defeat  the  Yankees  at  last. 

They  were  proud  of  the  Old  Dominion,  the  mother  of  States 
and  of  Presidents,  proud  of  their  ancestry,  of  the  chivalry  of 
Virginia,  and  gave  free  expression  to  their  hatred. 

Having  heard  that  a  brigade  of  colored  troops  had  been 
enlisted  in  Richmond  for  the  Rebel  army,  I  made  inquiries 
to  ascertain  the  facts.  All  through  the  war  the  Rebel  author- 
ities had  engaged  a  large  number  of  slaves  as  teamsters  and 
laborers.  The  immense  fortifications  thrown  up  around  Rich- 
mond, Yorktown,  Petersburg,  Wilmington,  Charleston,  and 
Savannah  were  the  work  of  slaves.  The  Rebels  said  that 
slavery,  instead  of  being  a  weakness,  was  an  element  of  strength. 
Slaves  built  the  fortifications  and  raised  the  corn  and  wheat, 
which  enabled  the  Confederacy  to  send  all  of  its  white  fighting 
population  to  the  field.  But  the  fighting  material  was  used 
up.  Men  were  wanted.  An  unsparing  conscription  failed  to 
fill  up  the  ranks.  Then  came  the  agitation  of  the  question  of 
employing  negro  soldiers. 

General  Lee  advocated  the  measure.  "  They  possess,"  said 
he,  '^  all  the  physical  qualifications,  and  their  habits  of  obedi- 
ence constitute  a  good  foundation  for  discipline.  I  think  those 
who  are  employed  should  be  freed.  It  would  neither  be  just 
nor  wise,  in  my  opinion,  to  require  them  to  serve  as  slaves. 
The  best  course  to  pursue,  it  seems  to  me,  would  be  to  call  for 
such  as  are  willing  to  come,  —  willing  to  come,  with  the  con- 
sent of  their  owners.  An  impressment  or  draft  would  not  be 
likely  to  bring  out  the  best  class,  and  the  use  of  coercion  would 
make  the  measure  distasteful  to  them  and  to  their  owners." 

The  subject  was  debated  in  secret  session  in  Congress,  and 
a  bill  enacted  authorizing  their  employment. 

A  great  meeting  was  held  in  the  African  church  to  "  fire  the 


18ot).]  RICHMOND.  617 

Southern  heart,"  and  speeches  were  made.  A  recruituig-office 
was  opened.  The  newspapers  spoke  of  the  success  of  the 
movement.     Regiments  were  organizing. 

"  I  fear  there  will  soon  be  a  great  scarcity  of  arms  when  the 
negroes  are  drilled,"  wrote  the  Rebel  war  clerk  in  his  diary  on 
the  11th  of  March  ;  and  five  days  later,  on  the  17th,  "  We  shall 
have  a  negro  army.  Letters  are  pouring  into  the  department 
from  men  of  military  skill  and  character,  asking  authority  to 
raise  companies,  battalions,  and  regiments  of  negro  troops.  It 
is  the  desperate  remedy  for  the  very  desperate  case,  and  may 
be  successful.  If  three  hundred  thousand  efficient  soldiers  can 
be  made  of  this  material,  there  is  no  conjecturing  when  the 
next  campaign  may  end." 

A  week  later  the  colored  troops  had  a  parade  in  Capitol 
Square.  There  were  so  few,  that  the  war  clerk  said  it  was 
'^  rather  a  ridiculous  affair." 

"  How  many  colored  men  enlisted  ?  "  I  asked  of  a  negro. 

"  'Bout  fifty,  I  reckon,  sir.  Dey  was  mostly  poor  Souf  Car- 
olina darkies,  —  poor  heathen  fellers,  who  didn't  know  ncr 
better." 

''  Would  you  have  fought  against  the  Yankees  ?  " 

"No,  sir.  Dey  might  have  shot  me  through  de  body  wid 
ninety  thousand  balls,  before  I  would  have  fired  a  gun  at  my 
friends." 

"  Then  you  look  upon  us  as  your  friends  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir.  I  have  prayed  for  you  to  come ;  and  do  you 
think  that  I  would  have  prayed  one  way  and  fit  de  other  ?  " 

"  I  '11  tell  you,  massa,  what  I  would  have  done,"  said  an- 
other, taking  off"  his  hat  and  bowing :  "I  would  have  taken  de 
gun,  and  when  I  cotched  a  chance  I  'd  a  shooted  it  at  de  Rebs 
and  den  run  for  de  Yankees." 

This  brought  a  general  explosion  from  the  crowd,  and  ar- 
rested the  attention  of  some  white  men  passing. 

We  were  in  the  street  west  of  the  Capitol.  I  had  but  to 
raise  my  eyes  to  see  the  Stars  and  Stripes  waving  in  the  even- 
ing breeze.  A  few  paces  distant  were  the  ruins  of  the  Rebel 
War  Department,  from  whence  were  issued  the  orders  to  starve 
our  prisoners  at  Belle  Isle,  Salisbury,  and  Andersonville. 
Not  far  were  the  walls  of  Dr.  Reed's  church,  where  a  specious 


618  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [April, 

Gospel  had  been  preached,  and  near  by  was  the  church  of  Dr. 
Minnegerode.  The  street  was  full  of  people.  I  was  a  stranger 
to  them  all,  but  I  ventured  to  make  this  inquiry,  — 

"  Did  you  ever  see  an  Abolitionist  ?  " 

"  No,  massa,  I  reckon  I  neber  did,"  was  the  reply. 

*'  What  kind  of  people  do  you  think  they  are  ?  " 

"  Well,  massa,  I  specs  dey  is  a  good  kind  of  people." 

"  Why  do  you  think  so  ?  " 

"  'Case  when  I  hear  bad  white  folks  swearing  and  cursing 
about  'em,  I  reckon  dar  must  be  something  good  about  'em." 

"  Well,  my  friends,  I  am  an  Abolitionist ;  I  believe  that  all 
men  have  equal  rights,  and  that  I  have  no  more  right  to  make 
a  slave  of  you  than  you  have  of  me." 

Every  hat  came  off  in  an  instant.  Hands  were  reached  out 
toward  me,  and  I  heard  from  a  dozen  tongues  a  hearty  "  God 
bless  you,  sir  !  " 

White  men  heard  me  and  scowled.  Had  I  uttered  those  words 
in  Richmond  twenty-four  hours  earlier  I  should  have  had  nc 
opportunity  to  repeat  them,  but  paid  for  my  temerity  with  a 
halter  or  a  knife  ;  but  now  those  men  who  stretched  out  tlieir 
hands  to  me  would  have  given  the  last  drop  of  their  blood  be- 
fore they  would  have  seen  a  hair  of  my  head  injured,  after  that 
declaration. 

The  slaves  were  the  true  loyal  men  of  the  South.  They  did 
what  they  could  to  help  put  down  the  Rebellion  by  aiding  Union 
prisoners  to  escape,  by  giving  trustworthy  information.  ,  The 
Stars  and  Stripes  was  their  banner  of  hope.  What  a  life  they 
led !  I  met  a  young  colored  man,  with  features  more  Anglo- 
Saxon  than  African,  who  asked,  — 

"  Do  you  think,  sir,  that  I  could  obtain  employment  in  the 
North  ?  " 

''  What  can  you  do  ?  " 

"  Well,  sir,  I  have  been  an  assistant  in  a  drug  store.  I  can 
put  up  prescriptions.  I  paid  forty  dollars  a  month  for  my  time 
before  the  Confederate  money  became  worthless,  but  my  master 
thought  that  I  was  going  to  run  away  to  the  Yankees,  and  sold 
me  awhile  ago  ;  and  he  was  my  own  father,  sir." 

"  Your  own  father  ?  " 

**  Yes,  sir  !     They  often  sell  their  own  flesh  and  blood,  sir!" 


1865.]  RICHMOND.  519 

Among  the  correspondents  accompanying  the  army  was  8 
gentleman  connected  with  the  Philadelphia  Press ^  Mr.  Chester, 
tall,  stout,  and  muscular.  God  had  given  him  a  colored  skin, 
but  beneath  it  lay  a  courageous  heart.  Visiting  the  Capitol,  he 
entered  the  Senate  chamber  and  sat  down  in  the  Speaker's 
chair  to  write  a  letter.  A  paroled  Rebel  officer  entered  the 
room. 

"  Come  out  of  there,  you  black  cuss ! "  shouted  the  officer, 
clenching  his  fist. 

Mr.  Chester  raised  his  eyes,  calmly  surveyed  the  intruder, 
and  went  on  with  his  writing. 

"  Get  out  of  there,  or  I  '11  knock  your  brains  out !  "  the  offi- 
cer bellowed,  pouring  out  a  torrent  of  oaths  ;  and  rushing  up 
the  steps  to  execute  his  threat,  found  himself  tumbling  over 
chairs  and  benches,  knocked  down  by  one  well-planted  blow 
between  his  eyes. 

Mr.  Chester  sat  down  as  if  nothing  had  happened.  The 
Rebel  sprang  to  his  feet  and  called  upon  Captain  Hutchins  of 
General  Devens's  staff  for  a  sword. 

"  I  '11  cut  the  fellow's  heart  out,"  said  he. 

"  0  no,  I  guess  not.  I  can't  let  you  have  my  sword  for  any 
such  purpose.  If  you  want  to  fight,  I  will  clear  a  space  here, 
and  see  that  you  have  fair  play,  but  let  me  tell  you  that  you 
will  get  a  tremendous  thrashing,"  said  Captain  Hutchins. 

The  officer  left  the  hall  in  disgust.  "  I  thought  I  would  ex- 
ercise my  rights  as  a  belligerent,"  said  Mr.  Chester. 

I  ascended  the  steps  of  the  Capitol  and  stood  on  the  roof  of 
the  building  to  gaze  upon  the  panorama,  hardly  surpassed  in 
beauty  anywhere,  —  a  lovely  combination  of  city,  country,  val- 
ley, hill,  plain,  field,  forest,  and  foaming  river.  The  events  of 
four  years  came  to  remembrance.  First,  the  secession  of  the 
State  on  the  17th  of  April,  1861,  by  the  convention  which  sat 
with  closed  doors  in  the  hall  below,  the  threats  of  violence  ut- 
tered against  the  Union  delegates  from  the  western  counties, 
the  wild  tumult  of  the  "  People's  Convention,"  so  called,  in 
Metropolitan  Hall,  —  a  body  of  Jacobins  assembling  to  brow- 
beat the  convention  in  the  Capitol ;  and  when  the  ordinance 
was  passed,  the  appearance  of  John  Tyler,  once  President  of 
the  United  States,  with  Governor  Wise,  among  the  fire-eaters, 


620  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [April, 

welcomed  with  noisy  cheers  ;  it  seemed  as  if  I  could  hear  the 
voice  of  Tyler  as  he  said  that  Virginia  and  the  people  of  the 
South  had  submitted  to  aggression  till  secession  was  a  duty, 
and  that  the  Almighty  would  smile  upon  the  work  of  that  day. 
They  were  the  words  of  a  feeble  old  man,  whose  every  official 
act  was  in  the  interest  of  slavery.  Vehement  the  words  of 
Wise,  who  imagined  that  the  Yankees  had  seized  one  of  his 
children  as  a  hostage  for  himself. 

"  If  they  suppose,"  said  he,  "  that  hostages  of  my  own  heart's 
blood  will  stay  my  hand  in  a  contest  for  the  maintenance  of 
sacred  rights,  they  are  mistaken.  Affection  for  kindred,  prop- 
erty, and  life  itself  sink  into  insignificance  in  comparison  with 
the  overwhelming  importance  of  public  duty  in  such  a  crisis  as 
this.'' 

Mason,  the  lordly  senator,  and  Governor  Letcher,  the  drunk- 
en executive  of  the  State,  also  addressed  the  crazy  crowd,  fired 
to  a  burning  heat  of  madness  by  passion  and  whiskey. 

On  that  occasion  the  Confederate  flag  was  raised  upon  the 
flagstaff  springing  from  the  roof  of  the  Capitol,  although  the 
State  had  not  joined  the  Confederacy.  The  people  were  to  vote 
on  the  question,  and  yet  the  Convention  had  enjoined  that  the 
act  of  secession  should  be  kept  a  secret  till  Norfolk  Navy  Yard 
and  Harper's  Ferry  Arsenal  could  be  seized.*  The  newspapers 
of  Richmond  had  no  announcement  to  make  the  next  morning 
that  the  State  was  no  longer  a  member  of  the  Union.  What 
honorable,  high-minded,  "  chivalrous"  proceedings! 

Then  came  the  volunteers  thronging  the  streets.  Professor 
Jackson  (Stonewall)  was  drillmg  the  cadets.  Three  days  after 
the  passage  of  the  ordinance  of  secession,  troops  were  swarming 
in  the  yard  around  the  Capitol,  and  A.  H.  Stephens,  Vice- 
President  of  the  Confederacy,  and  Ex-President  Tyler,  and  the 
drunken  Letcher  were  negotiating  an  alliance  offensive  and 
defensive  between  the  sovereign  State  of  Virginia  and  the 
States  already  confederated  to  establish  a  slaveholding  republic. 

Next  in  order  was  the  arrival  of  Jeff  Davis  and  the  peram 
bulating  government  of  the  Confederacy,  to  tarry  a  few  days 
in  Richmond  before  proceeding  to  Washington.     Davis  and  his 

•  Rebel  War  Clerk's  Diary,  Vol.  I.  p.  24. 


1865.]  RICHMOND.  521 

followers  made  boastful  promises  of  what  they  could  and  would 
do,  breathing  out  tlireatenings  and  shiu  filter  against  the  hated 
Yankees.  Then  the  hurly-burly,  —  the  rush  of  volunteers,  the 
arrival  of  troops,  welcomed  with  cheers  and  smiles,  the  streets 
through  which  they  passed  strewn  with  flowers  by  the  ladies  of 
Richmond.  The  Confederate  Congress  and  heads  of  depart- 
ments came,  —  Stephens,  Toombs,  Cobb,  Floyd,  Wigfall,  Mem- 
minger,  Mallory,  —  with  thousands  of  place-hunters,  filling  the 
city  to  overflowing,  putting  money  into  the  pockets  of  the  citi- 
zens, — not  gold  and  silver,  but  Confederate  currency,  to  be 
redeemed  two  years  after  the  ratification  of  the  treaty  of  peace 
with  the  United  States.  Beauregard,  the  rising  star  of  the 
South,  came  from  Charleston,  to  reap  fresh  laurels  at  Manassas. 
Richmond  was  solemn  on  that  memorable  Sabbath,  the  21st  of 
June,  1861,  for  through  the  forenoon  the  reports  were  that  the 
Yankees  were  winning  the  day ;  but  at  night,  when  the  news 
came  from  Davis  that  the  "  cowardly  horde  "  was  flying,  panic- 
stricken,  to  Washington,  how  jubilant  the  crowd ! 

A  year  later  there  were  pale  faces,  when  the  army  of 
McClellan  swept  through  Williamsburg.  Jefl"  Davis  packed  up 
his  furniture,  and  made  preparations  to  leave  the  city.  There 
was  another  fright  when  the  Rebels  came  back  discomfited 
from  Fair  Oaks. 

From  the  roof  of  the  Capitol  anxious  eyes  watched  the  war- 
clouds  rolling  up  from  Mechanicsville  and  Cold  Harbor.  Those 
were  mournful  days.  Long  lines  of  ambulances,  wagons, 
coaches,  and  carts,  filled  with  wounded,  filed  through  the 
streets.  How  fearful  the  slaughter  to  the  Rebels  in  those  mem- 
orable seven  days'  fighting!  Deep  the  maledictions  heaped 
upon  the  drunken  Magruder  for  the  carnage  at  Malvern  Hill. 

Beneath  the  roof  on  which  I  stood  Stuart,  Gregg,  and  Stone- 
wall Jackson,  —  dead  heroes  of  the  Rebellion,  —  had  reposed 
in  state,  mourned  by  the  weeping  multitude. 

Before  me  were  Libby  Prison  and  Belle  Isle.  What  wretch- 
edness and  sufiering  there !  Starvation  for  soldiers  of  the  Un- 
ion, within  sight  of  the  fertile  fields  of  Manchester,  waving 
with  grain  and  alive  with  flocks  and  herds !  Nearer  the  Cap- 
itol was  the  mansion  of  Jeff"  Davis,  the  slave-trader's  jail  and 
the  slave-market.     What  agony  and  cries  of  distress  within  the 


621: 


THE   BOYS    OF    '61. 


LApnl, 


hearing  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Confederacy,  as  mothers 
pressed  their  infants  to  their  breasts  for  the  last  time. 

In  front  of  the  Capitol  was  the  stone  building  erected  by  the 
United  States,  where  for  four  years  Jeff  Davis  had  played  the 
sovereign,  where  Benjamin,  Memminger,  Toombs,  Mallory, 
Sedden,  Trenholm,  and  Breckenridge  had  exercised  authority, 
dispensing  places  of  profit  to  their  friends,  who  came  in  crowds 
to  find  exemption  from  conscription.  Beyond,  and  on  either 
side,  was  the  forest  of  blackened  chimneys,  tottering  walls,  and 
smoking  ruins  of  the  .  o  which  had  swept  away  the  accumu- 
lated wealth  of  years  in  a  day.  How  terrible  the  retribution ! 
Before  the  war  there  was  quiet  in  the  city,  but  there  came  a 
reign  of  terror,  when  ruffians  ruled,  when  peaceful  citizens 
dared  not  be  abroad  after  dark.  There  was  sorrow  in  every 
household  for  friends  fallen  in  battle,  and  Poverty  sat  by  many 
a  hearthstone. 

Hardest  of  all  to  bear  was  the  charity  of  their  enemies. 
Under  the  shadow  of  the  Capitol  the  Christian  and  Sanitary 
Commissions  were  giving  bread  to  the  needy.  Standing  there 
upon  the  roof  I  could  look  down  upon  a  throng  of  men,  wo- 
men, and  children  receiving  food  from  the  kind-hearted  dele- 
gates, upon  whose  lips  were  no  words  of  bitterness,  but  only 
the  song  of  the  angels,  —  "  Peace  on  earth,  good-will  to  men ! '' 


1865.]  THE  CONFEDERATE  LOAN.  523 


CHAPTER    XXXII. 

THE    CONFEDERATE    LOAN. 

The  attitude  of  Great  Britain  towards  the  United  Statefi 
during  the  Rebellion  will  make  a  strange  chapter  in  history. 
The  first  steamship  returning  from  that  country  after  the  firnig 
upon  Fort  Sumter  brought  the  intelligence  that  the  British 
government  had  recognized  the  Rebels  as  belligerents.  Mr. 
Adams,  the  newly  appointed  Minister  to  the  Court  of  St. 
James,  was  on  his  way  to  London,  but  without  waiting  to  hear 
what  representations  he  might  have  to  make,  the  ministry  with 
unseemly  haste  gave  encouragement  to  the  Rebels. 

Palmerston,  Russell,  the  chief  dignitaries  of  state,  and  of 
the  Church  also,  with  the  London  Times  and  Morning  Poat^ 
espoused  the  cause  of  the  slaveholders,  while  the  weavers  of 
Lancashire,  though  thrown  out  of  employment  by  the  blockade, 
gave  their  sympathies  to  the  North.  They  were  ignorant  of 
the  causes  which  led  to  hostilities.  The  English  press  informed 
them  that  it  was  the  tariff ;  that  the  people  of  the  South  had 
a  right  to  secede ;  that  the  United  States  had  no  right  to  re- 
strain them ;  that  the  South  was  fighting  for  liberty :  but  not- 
withstanding this,  the  operatives,  from  the  beginning,  ranged 
themselves  on  the  side  of  the  Union.  They  stood  in  opposition 
to  Palmerston  and  the  peers  of  the  realm,  —  the  press,  the 
aristocracy,  and  the  mill-owners.  In  this  they  were  guided, 
perhaps,  more  by  instinct  than  by  reason. 

They  knew  that  in  the  North  labor  was  free,  but  that  the 
South  had  made  slavery  thfe  corner-stone  of  their  Confederacy. 
Their  life  was  ever  a  battle,  for  Labor  was  the  slave  of  Capital. 
They  knew  nothing  of  State  rights,  or  the  rights  of  belligerents, 
or  of  American  tariffs,  but  instmct  by  a  short  road  led  them 
to  the  conclusion  that  the  conflict  was  not  merely  national,  but 
world-wide,  and  that  the  freemen  of  the  North  were  fighting 
for  the  rights  of  men  everywhere. 


524  THE   BOYS    OF   '61.  [April, 

The  London  Times  was  foremost  among  the  newspapers  to 
prophesy  the  disruption  of  the  Union.  Its  utterances  were 
oracular.  It  claimed  superior  knowledge  and  a  deeper  insight 
of  the  American  question  than  any  of  its  contemporaries,  and 
its  opinions  were  accepted  as  truth  by  all  Englishmen  whr. 
approved  the  slaveholders'  war.  Ship-builders,  cotton-brokers, 
and  capitahsts  regulated  their  faith  and  works  by  the  leading 
articles  of  that  journal,  and  loaned  their  money  to  the  South. 

"  The  great  republic  is  gone,  and  no  serious  attempt  will  be 
made  by  the  North  to  save  it,"  wrote  Mr.  W.  H.  Russell  to  the 
Times  in  April,  1861. 

"  General  bankruptcy  is  inevitable,  and  agrarian  and  social- 
ist riots  may  be  expected  very  soon,"  was  the  despatch  of  that 
individual  immediately  after  the  battle  of  Bull  Run. 

The  tradespeople  of  EnglnnrI  believed  him.  The  South  was 
victor;  the  Confederacy  was  .  ,  become  a  nation.  The  agents 
of  the  South  were  already  in  England  purchasing  supplies, 
paying  liberal  prices.  They  found  that  Englishmen  were  ready 
to  engage  in  any  scheme  of  profit,  —  in  running  the  blockade, 
building  war-ships  for  the  Confederate  government,  or  selling 
arms  and  ammunition,  in  violation  of  the  laws  of  the  realm. 

As  a  large  number  of  letters  written  by  Rebel  agents  and 
emissaries  in  England  and  France  have  fallen  into  my  hands, 
I  purpose  in  this  chapter  to  give  a  rSsumS  of  their  contents, 
which  expose  the  secret  history  of  the  Cotton  Loan. 

Soon  after  the  beginning  of  hostilities  the  Liverpool  corre- 
spondent of  the  Times,  Mr.  James  Spence,  entered  heartily  into 
the  support  of  the  cause  of  the  South.  He  was  engaged  in  com- 
mercial pursuits,  but  found  leisure  not  only  to  keep  up  his  cor- 
respondence with  the  Times,  but  to  write  a  book  entitled  the 
"  American  Union,"  in  which  he  advocated  the  right  of  the 
South  to  secede,  and  extolled  slavery  as  a  superior  condition 
of  life  for  the  laboring  man. 

"  The  negroes,"  said  he,  "  have  at  all  times  abundant  food : 
the  sufferings  of  fireless  winters  are  unknown  to  them,  medi- 
cal attendance  is  always  at  command ;  in  old  age  there  is  no 
fear  of  a  workhouse ;  their  children  are  never  a  burden  or  a 
curse ;  their  labor,  though  long,  is  neither  difficult  nor  un 
healthy.     As  a  rule,  they  have  their  own  ground  and  fowls  and 


1865.]  THE  CONFEDERATE  LOAN.  625 

vegetables,  of  which  they  sell  a  surplus.  So  far,  then,  as 
merely  animal  comforts  extend,  their  lot  is  more  free  from  suf- 
fering than  those  of  many  classes  of  European  laborers." 

Such  sympathy  with  slavery  received  its  reward  in  the  ap- 
pointment of  Mr.  Spence  as  financial  agent  of  the  Confederacy. 
Large  sums  of  money  were  sent  from  Charleston,  Savannah, 
and  Richmond  to  England.  Vessels  found  little  difficulty  in 
running  the  blockade  during  the  first  year  of  the  war,  and 
Nassau  became  the  half-way  station,  and  thousands  of  English- 
men counted  up  their  gains  from  blockade-running  with  glee. 
Societies  were  formed  in  London  and  other  principal  cities, 
called  "  Confederate  Aid  Associations." 

An  address  to  the  British  public  was  issued,  setting  forth  the 
barbarism  of  the  North  against  the  South,  struggling  for  her 
rights. 

"  The  women  of  the  South,"  reads  the  address,  "  have  been  insulted, 
imprisoned,  flogged,  violated,  and  outraged  in  a  most  inhuman  and  sav- 
age manner.  Their  homes  and  goods  have  been  destroyed,  their  houses 
forcibly  entered,  the  helpless  and  unresisting  inmates  murdered,  the 
fleeing  overtaken  and  cut  down  in  cold  blood  by  the  savage  soldiery 

of  the  North They  are  now  glutting  their  hellish  rage  against 

the  people  they  seek  to  destroy  in  inflicting  every  kind  of  torture, 
punishment,  and  misery  that  their  fruitful  minds  can  invent  upon  those 

that  they  would  fain  call  fellow-citizens The  atrocities,  cruelties, 

crimes,  and  outrages  committed  against  the  South  in  this  war  are  with- 
out a  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  world 

"In  the  name  of  suffering  Lancashire,  civilization,  justice,  peace, 
liberty,  humanity,  Christianity,  and  a  candid  world ;  and  by  the  highest 
considerations  that  can  call  men  into  action,  we  beg  you  to  come  for- 
ward to  aid,  contribute,  and  support  a  brave  and  valiant  people  that 
are  fighting  for  their  homes,  firesides,  birthright,  lives,  independence, 
sacred  honor,  and  all  that  is  dear  to  mankind.  By  all  the  sorrows, 
deprivations,  bereavements,  losses,  hardships,  and  suffering  that  now 
ingulf  the  Confederate  people,  we  appeal  to  you  to  arouse,  and  rush 
to  their  aid  with  your  pence,  shillings,  and  pounds ;  give  them  your 
sympathy,  countenance,  and  influence,  to  hurl  the  tyrants  from  their 
country,  and  obtain  the  greatest  boon  to  man,  — '  self-government.  Fairest 
and  best  of  earth,  for  the  sake  of  violated  innocence,  insulted  virtue, 
and  the  honor  of  your  sex,  —  come  in  woman's  majesty  and  omnipo- 
tence, and  give  strength  to  a  cause  that  has  for  its  object  the  highest 
human  aims,  the  amelioration  and  exaltation  of  humanity." 


026  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [April, 

The  address  was  issued  by  Englishmen,  had  a  wide  circula- 
tion, and  undoubtedly  was  accepted  as  a  true  representation  of 
affairs. 

Then  Whittier  sent  his  stinging  words,  "  To  Englishmen," 
across  the  Atlantic :  — 

"  But  yesterday  you  scarce  could  shake, 
In  slave-abhorring  rigor, 
Our  Northern  palms,  for  conscience'  sake ; 
To-day  you  clasp  the  hands  that  ache 
With  '  walloping  the  nigger '  1 

"  And  is  it  Christian  England  cheers 
The  bruiser,  not  the  bruised  ? 
And  must  she  run,  despite  the  tears 
And  prayers  of  eighteen  hundred  years, 
A-muck  in  Slavery's  crusade  ? 

''  ()  black  disgrace  !     O  shame  and  loss 

Too  deep  for  tongue  to  phrase  on  I 
Tear  from  your  flag  its  holy  cross, 
And  in  your  van  of  battle  toss 

The  pirate's  skull-bone  blazon !  ** 

The  Trent  affair  had  inflamed  the  British  public,  and  Rebel 
Bympathizers  were  fierce  for  war,  that  the  South  might  reap 
the  advantage ;  but  Mason  and  Slidell  had  been  given  up  by 
President  Lincoln,  and  Mr.  Mason  stood  hat  in  hand  at  the 
gate  of  St.  James.  But  Earl  Russell  could  not  conveniently 
see  him  just  then.  Lancashire  had  spoken.  Men  upon  whose 
humble  hearths  no  fire  warmed  the  wintry  air,  in  whose  homes 
poverty  was  ever  a  guest,  around  whose  doors  the  wolf  of  want 
was  always  prowling,  —  the  bone  and  muscle  of  England,  with 
whom  the  instinct  of  Liberty  was  stronger  to  persuadp  than 
distress  and  famine  to  subdue,  —  they,  the  hardy  workers  of 
England,  were  with  the  North. 

At  home,  in  the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  Mr.  Mason  had 
been  a  Virginia  lord.  It  was  his  nature  to  be  proud,  imperi- 
ous, and  haughty.  He  lived  in  the  greatness  of  an  ancient 
family  name.  He  expected  ready  admittance  at  St.  James ; 
but  though  ho  rang  the  bell  early  and  often,  and  sent  in  his 
card.  Earl  Russell  was  not  "  at  home  "  to  him. 

He  was  ready  to  turn  away  in  disgust,  but  the  wants  of  the 


1865.]  THE  CONFEDERATE  LOAN.  627 

Confederacy  compelled  him  to  submit  to  whatever  humiliation 
Earl  Russell  might  choose  to  administer.  He  told  his  griefs  to 
Mr.  Benjamin,  the  Confederate  Secretary  of  State,  and  received 

condolence. 

"  Your  correspondence  with  Lord  Russell,"  wrote  the  Secretary, 
"  shows  with  what  scant  courtesy  you  have  been  treated,  and  exhibits 
a  marked  contrast  between  the  conduct  of  the  English  and  French 
statesmen  now  in  office,  in  their  intercourse  with  foreign  agents,  emi- 
nently discreditable  to  the  former.  It  is  lamentable  that  at  this  lato 
period  of  the  nineteenth  century,  a  nation  so  enlightened  as  Great 
Britain  should  have  failed  yet  to  discover  that  a  principal  cause  of  the 
dislike  and  hatred  towards  England,  of  which  complaints  are  rife,  in 
her  Parliament  and  press,  is  the  offensive  arrogance  of  some  of  her 
public  men.  The  contrast  is  striking  between  the  polished  courtesy 
of  M.  Thou  venal  and  the  rude  incivUity  of  Lord  Russell. 

"  Your  determination  to  submit  to  these  annoyances  in  the  service 
of  your  country,  and  to  overlook  personal  slights,  while  hope  remains 
that  your  continued  presence  in  England  may  benefit  our  cause,  cannot 
fail  to  command  the  approval  of  your  government."  ♦ 

Englishmen  wanted  to  see  the  great  republic  broken  to 
pieces,  but  there  were  repulsive  features  in  that  system  of 
civilization  which  the  South  was  attempting  to  establish.  The 
Union  dead  were  mangled  at  Manassas ;  their  bones  were  carved 
into  charms  and  amulets.  Among  the  mountains  of  Tennessee 
old  men  were  dragged  from  their  beds  at  midnight,  and  hung 
without  judge  or  jury,  because  they  loved  the  flag  of  their 
country.  Li  Missouri  bridges  were  burned  at  night,  and  men, 
women,  and  children  upon  railroad  trains  were  precipitated  into 
yawning  gulfs  by  their  neighbors !  This  was  the  work  of 
the  "  master  race,"  too  "  refined,"  "  chivalric,"  and  "  gentle- 
manly "  to  associate  with  the  laboring  men  of  the  North. 
Were  the  workingmen  of  Old  England  any  more  worthy  than 
they  of  New  England  to  associate  with  the  slave-masters  of  the 
3outh  ?  British  operatives  and  mechanics  understood  the  ques- 
tion,—  that  it  was  a  conflict  between  two  systems  of  labor, — 
and  they  rejected  with  disdain  all  overtures  from  the  South. 

The  intervention  of  England  and  France  was  necessary  to 
Hisure  the  success  of  the  Rebel  cause,  and  English  and  Euro- 

*  Benjamin's  letter  to  Mason,  October  28,  1862, 


^28  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [^pril, 

pean  public  sentiment  must  be  brought  round  to  the  Southern 
side  by  the  power  of  the  press.  Mr.  Edwin  De  Leon  therefore 
was  made  an  agent  of  the  Confederacy  to  subsidize  the  press 
of  Europe.  The  wires  were  pulled  by  Mr.  Benjamin,  who 
wrote  thus  to  Mr.  De  Leon :  — 

"  I  will  take  measures  to  forward  you  additional  means  to  enable  you 
to  extend  the  field  of  your  operations,  and  to  embrace,  if  possible,  the 
press  of  Central  Europe  in  your  campaign.  Austria  and  Prussia,  as 
well  as  the  smaller  Germanic  powers,  seem  to  require  intelligence  of 
the  true  condition  of  our  affairs,  and  the  nature  of  our  struggle ;  and 
it  is  to  be  hoped  that  you  may  find  means  to  act  with  efficiency  in 
moulding  public  opinion  in  those  countries."  * 

That  this  scheme  of  bribery  was  successful  will  appear 
further  on.  The  British  government  having  with  precipitate 
haste  recognized  the  Rebels  as  belligerents,  English  merchants 
were  quick  to  follow  in  the  track  of  Palmerston  and  Russell. 
Merchants,  bankers,  admirals  of  the  navy,  officers  of  the  army, 
speculators,  spendthrifts,  adventurers  from  the  slums  and  stews 
of  London  and  Liverpool,  in  common  with  members  of  Parlia- 
ment and  peers  of  the  realm,  engaged  in  blockade-running,  not 
only  to  enrich  themselves,  but  to  aid  in  establishing  a  govern- 
ment based  on  human  slavery.  The  agents  of  the  Confeder- 
acy in  England  found  hearty  welcome  from  all  classes,  espe- 
cially the  ship-builders. 

Soon  after  the  attack  upon  Sumter  Mr.  Mallory,  Secretary 
of  the  Confederate  Navy,  sent  Captain  Bullock  of  Savannali 
to  England,  to  engage  shipbuilders  to  fit  out  privateers.  He 
found  W.  C.  Miller  &  Son  of  Liverpool,  and  the  Lairds  of 
Birkenhead,  ready  to  engage  in  the  work  of  destroying  Ameri- 
can commerce.  He  contracted  with  the  first  for  the  building 
of  the  Oreto,  or  Florida,  and  with  the  Lairds  for  the  "  290," 
or  Alabama.  He  also  found  warm  welcome  from  Roebuck, 
Gregory,  and  other  members  of  Parliament,  and  from  capital- 
ists, who  subscribed  liberally  in  aid  of  the  enterprise. 

Funds  were  needed  for  the  payment  of  Rebel  debts  in  Eng- 
land, and  the  Confederate  Congress  passed  a  bill  in  April, 
1862,  authorizing  the  exchange  of  bonds  for  articles  in  kmd, 

•  Beniamin's  letter  to  Mr.  De  Leon,  December  13,  1862. 


CAPTAIN  WINSLOW  AND  THE  KEARSARGB. 


ADMIRAL  FARRAGUT, 


1865.]  THE  CONFEDERATE  LOAN.  529 

and  Mr.  Benjamin  thereupon  wrote  to  Mr.  Mason,  advising  him 
of  the  financial  arrangements  which  had  been  made. 

"  At  your  suggestion,"  said  Mr.  Benjamin,  "  I  have  appointed  Mr. 
James  Spence  of  Liverpool  financial  agent,  and  have  requested  him  to 
negotiate  for  the  sale  of  five  million  dollars  of  our  eight  per  cent  bonds, 
if  he  can  realize  fifty  per  cent  on  them.  I  have  already  sent  over  two 
millions  of  bonds,  and  will  send  another  million  in  a  week  or  ten  days. 
Mr.  Spence  is  directed  to  confer  with  Messrs.  Fraser,  Trenholm  &  Co.. 

who  had  previously  been  made  our  depositaries  at  Liverpool I 

have  also  directed  Mr.  Spence  to  endeavor  to  negotiate  for  the  applica- 
tion of  two  and  a  half  millions  of  coin,  which  I  have  here,  for  the  pur- 
chase of  supplies  and  munitions  for  our  army.  I  hope  that  this  coin 
will  be  accepted  by  British  houses  in  payment  at  the  rate  of  sterling  in 
England,  less  freight  and  insurance.  It  seems  to  me  that  upon  its 
transfer  to  British  owners,  they  could  obtain  transportation  for  it  on 
their  vessels  of  war  from  any  Confederate  port,  inasmuch  as  it  would 
be  bona  fide  British  property,  and  in  any  event  the  holder  of  the  trans- 
fer would  have  a  certain  security."* 

This  scheme  of  an  alliance  between  British  naval  officers  and 
flie  Rebel  government  was  carried  out,  and  a  portion  of  the 
coin  shipped  in  a  British  man-of-war,  the  Vesuvius,  from  Ba- 
hama, by  the  English  consul.f 

The  bonds  referred  to  by  Mr.  Benjamin  were  the  regularly 
issued  bonds  of  the  Confederacy.  Cotton  certificates  were 
also  issued ;  but  in  addition  to  these  means,  the  Rebel  govern- 
ment deemed  it  advisable  to  bring  out  a  loan  based  exclusively 
on  cotton. 

The  proposition  came  from  Mr.  Slidell,  who  was  in  Paris, 
envoy  to  the  Court  of  France,  but  who,  instead  of  attending 
the  receptions  of  the  Emperor  at  the  Tuileries,  was  endeavor- 
ing to  obtain  social  and  political  recognition  by  giving  luxuri- 
ous entertainments.  Napoleon  was  ready  to  recognize  the 
Confederacy,  but  Palmerston  and  Russell  hesitated,  and  he  was 
not  quite  prepared  to  move  alone  in  the  matter. 

He  was  anxious  to  see  the  great  republic  broken  up,  not 
that  he  particularly  desired  the  establishment  of  the  Confed- 
eracy, but  for  the  furtherance  of  his  own  designs  in  Mexico. 

•  Benjamin's  Letter,  October  24,  1862. 

♦  Earl  Russell's  letter  to  Mr.  Adams,  Diplo.  Cor.  1863,  Part  I.  p.  129. 

34 


630  THE  BOYS  OF  '(ii.  [April, 

Wliile  professing  to  Mr.  Slidell  good-will,  and  a  readiness  to 
give  substantial  aid  to  the  Rebellion,  his  agents,  M.  de  Sa 
ligny,  French  minister  in  Mexico,  M.  Thdron,  French  consul  at 
Galveston,  and  M.  Tabouelle,  French  vice-consul  at  Richmond, 
were  intriguing  to  dismember  Texas  from  the  Confederacy. 

"  The  Emperor  of  the  French,"  wrote  Mr.  Benjamin  to  Mr. 
Slidell,  "  has  determined  to  conquer  and  hold  Mexico  as  a  col- 
ony, and  is  desirous  of  interposing  a  weak  power  between  his 
new  colony  and  the  Confederate  States,  in  order  that  he  may 
feel  secure  against  interference  with  his  designs  on  Mexico. 
....  The  evidence  thus  afforded  of  a  disposition  on  the  part 
of  France  to  seize  on  this  crisis  of  our  fate  as  her  occasion  for 
the  promotion  of  selfish  interests,  and  this  too  after  the  assur- 
ances of  friendly  disposition,  or,  at  worst,  impartial  neutrality, 
which  you  have  received  from  the  leading  public  men  of 
France,  cannot  but  awaken  solicitude."  * 

The  French  consuls  at  Galveston  and  Richmond  were  dis- 
missed by  Jeff  Davis,  but  that  did  not  outwardly  ruffle  the 
temper  of  the  Emperor,  nor  stop  the  cotton  loan,  as  will  pres- 
ently be  seen.  The  Rebel  congressmen  looked  upon  Slidell's 
scheme  with  distrust,  but  the  bill  was  eventually  passed  in  se- 
cret session.  The  finances  of  the  Confederacy  were  going  to 
wreck.  There  were  heavy  debts  in  Europe,  and,  unless  the  bills 
were  promptly  paid,  there  would  be  an  end  of  supplies.  Eng- 
land was  suffering  for  cotton,  and  the  time  had  come  for  the 
successful  negotiation  of  a  loan,  based  on  cotton,  with  great 
apparent  advantages  to  the  subscribers.  The  mill-owners  of 
Manchester  were  ready  to  enter  upon  any  speculation  which 
would  start  their  machinery ;  the  aristocracy  would  subscribe 
out  of  sympathy  for  the  slaveholders ;  the  Liverpool  shippers 
would  take  stock,  as  it  would  give  employment  to  their  block- 
ade-runners ;  while  the  unusual  risks  and  great  chances  of 
j»rofit  would  make  it  attractive  to  the  multitude  with  whom  the 
Derby  is  the  whitest  day  of  the  year. 

Mr.  Slidell  had  made  the  acquaintance  of  Baron  Ermile 
d'Erlanger  of  Paris,  a  Jewish  banker,  who  had  a  branch  house 
in  Frankfort  conducted  by  his  brother,  Raphael  d'Erlanger. 

*  Benjamin  to  Slidell,  October  17.  1862. 


1865.]  THE  CONFEDERATE  LOAN.  081 

This  firm  was  recommended  by  Slidell  as  a  suitable  agency  for 
bringing  out  the  loan,  and  the  contract  was  given  them  by  Mr. 
Memminger.  D'Erlanger  began  preparations  for  putting  it  on 
the  market  in  February,  1863.  He  desired  to  issue  it  in  Eng- 
land, France,  Holland,  and  Germany  at  the  same  time,  to  bring 
to  the  Confederacy  the  financial  support  of  Europe.  The  con- 
siderations were  political  as  well  as  financial.  He  found  some 
difficulty,  however,  in  obtaining  English  agents.  The  Barings 
and  Rothschilds  stood  aloof.  He  offered  the  London  manage- 
ment to  Messrs.  John  H.  Gilliat  &  Co.,  but  that  firm  declined 
having  anything  to  do  with  it.  It  was  offered  to  other  bankers, 
but  refused.  He  found  willing  agents  at  last  in  Messrs.  John 
Henry  Schroeder  &  Co.,  and  the  firm  of  Messrs.  Lawrence, 
Son,  and  Pearce.  Li  Liverpool  Messrs.  Frazor,  Trenholm,  & 
Co.  had  been  acting  as  agents  of  the  Confederacy,  and  the 
management  was  placed  in  their  hands.  Schroeder's  agents 
in  Amsterdam  managed  it  there,  while  D'Erlanger's  branch 
house  in  Frankfort  brought  it  out  in  that  city.  D'Erlanger 
himself  manipulated  it  in  Paris. 

D'Erlanger  and  Mr.  Beer,  of  his  firm,  visited  England,  and 
arranged  matters  with  Mason  and  Spence,  and  with  Frazer, 
Trenholm,  &  Co.,  all  of  whom  were  acting  as  agents  of  the 
Confederacy.  A  special  agent  had  been  appointed  by  the 
Rebel  government  to  take  charge  of  the  loan,  —  General  C.  J. 
McRae,  —  who  was  on  his  way  from  Richmond  to  Paris ;  but 
as  the  needs  of  the  Confederacy  were  urgent,  the  loan  was 
opened  before  his  arrival. 

The  support  of  the  press  was  secured,  —  all  but  two  or  three 
papers  being  brought,  through  the  agency  of  Mr.  De  Leon, 
Mr.  Mason,  and  Mr.  Spence,  to  praise  the  Confederacy,  cry 
down  the  Union,  and  urge  recognition  by  France  and  England 
as  the  surest  way  to  put  an  end  to  the  war. 

The  correspondence  in  my  possession  between  the  parties 
opens  on  the  1st  of  March.  Mr.  Spence,  sitting  in  his  parlor 
in  the  Burlington  Hotel,  Old  Burlington  Street,  London,  writes 
to  Baron  d'Erlanger,  who  is  in  Paris,  asking  for  a  copy  of  the 
contract. 

D'Erlanger  did  not  place  a  very  high  estimate  on  the  ability 
of  Mr.  Spence  as  a  financial  manager ;  but  as  he  was  the  cor- 


632  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [-^pril, 

respondent  of  the  Times,  and  commercial  agent  of  the  Confed- 
eracy, thought  best  not  to  offend  him.  Spence,  on  the  other 
hand,  saw  an  opportunity  to  make  money.  A  week  later,  on 
the  6th  of  March,  ho  wrote  thus  to  D'Erlanger :  — 

"  You  said  something  in  the  last  interview  of  £  50,000  of  the  stock. 
If  it  had  occurred  to  you  to  put  down  to  me  that  quantity  at  the  gross 
price  of  seventy-seven,  I  should  be  disposed  to  consider  it,  looking  to 
the  advantage  to  all  concerned  of  having  a  common  interest." 

As  the  loan  was  issued  at  90,  this  proposal  of  Mr.  Spence  to 
take  it  at  77,  —  giving  him  a  margin  of  13  per  cent  under  the 
contract  price,  —  was,  in  the  language  of  bankers,  "  a  shave  '* 
for  his  services  as  correspondent  of  the  Times,  —  a  transaction 
upon  which  more  light  will  be  thrown  further  on  in  this  history. 

The  loan  was  put  upon  the  market  on  the  19th  of  March. 
Fifteen  per  cent  was  to  be  paid  at  the  time  of  subscribing. 
The  stock  was  limited  to  three  million  pounds  sterling 
($15,000,000)  ;  but  so  desirous  were  Englishmen  to  take  it, 
the  applications  were  for  £9,000,000  ($45,000,000). 

On  the  evening  of  the  19th  Mr.  Spence  wrote  to  D'Erlanger 
of  its  success  in  Liverpool :  — 

**  All  goes  well  here.  The  cotton  trade  take  it  up  with  strong  inter- 
est, and  it  will  come  out  for  large  sums.     I  applied  very  early  for 

£  20,000,  and  thought  I  should  have  been  first,  but  found  P was 

before  me,  with  his  £  100,000.  You  will  have  a  lot  of  applications  in 
London  from  the  storgs,  —  that  is,  those  who  join  to  sell  at  the  premium. 
Here  we  have  no  class  of  that  kind,  and  our  applicants,  as  in  Manches- 
ter, being  more  bona  Jide,  will,  as  a  rule,  take  a  day  or  two  to  digest  its 
merits.  The  market  closed  here  at  4 J,  —  quite  high  enough  for  the 
first  day." 

On  the  next  day,  the  20th,  Mr.  Spence  writes :  — 

"  We  shall  very  much  exceed  a  million  here,  I  think,  by  noon  to- 
morrow. The  political  effect  will  be  enormous.  It  is  the  recognition 
of  the  South  by  the  intelligence  of  Europe." 

On  the  21st,  congratulations  were  received  by  D'Erlanger 
from  Slidell,  who  was  in  London. 

"  Allow  me  to  congratulate  you,"  said  he,  "  on  your  magnifio 
success.  Apart  from  the  direct  advantages  of  the  affair,  it  can- 
not fail  to  give  great  prestige  to  your  house." 


1865.]  THB  CONFEDEBATE  LOAN.  633 

"  The  Emperor  himself^  through  the  medium  of  his  Chef  ds 
Cabinet,^*  wrote  D'Erlangcr  to  Mcminiugcr,  "  complimented  us 
upon  the  great  success;  a  proof  with  what  interest  the  operation 
had  been  received  by  all  friends  of  the  South. ^^ 

Notwithstanding  the  "  intelligence  of  Europe "  had  rushed 
to  secure  it,  bankers  of  respectability  —  men  who  prized  honor 
and  integrity  above  pounds  and  pence  —  stood  aloof,  for  they 
remembered  that  Mr.  Jefferson  Davis,  President  of  the  slave- 
holding  Confederacy,  was  a  repudiator.  No  allegation  against 
him  had  been  made  through  the  press,  but  the  Times  came  to 
the  rescue  before  the  attack.  On  the  19th,  the  day  on  which 
the  loan  was  issued,  Mr.  Sampson,  editor  of  the  city  article, 
said :  — 

"  Those  among  the  English  people  who  are  still  suffering  from  Mis- 
sissippi repudiation  will  perhaps  view  with  wonder  and  regret  the  ne- 
gotiation of  a  loan  for  a  government  of  which  Mr.  Jefferson  Davis,  by 
whom  that  repudiation  was  defended  in  his  place  in  Congress,  is  the 
head.  But  the  Southern  Confederacy  includes  Virginia,  Georgia,  and 
other  honorable  States,  and  it  is  by  the  prospect  of  what  the  Confed- 
eracy will  do  as  a  whole  that  people  will  make  their  calculation.  The 
reasoning  that  would  exclude  the  South  from  a  loan  on  account  of  the 
conduct  of  Mississippi,  would  apply  equally  to  the  North,  since  the 
North  embraces  Michigan.  It  would  also  have  applied  to  the  United 
States  loans  negotiated  while  Mississippi  was  a  State  of  the  Union,  and 
especially  while  Mr.  Jefferson  Davis  was  an  influential  member  of  the 
Federal  government,  and  regarded  with  high  favor  by  all  the  North- 
ern population,  by  whom  the  remarks  of  the  Times  on  his  financial 
views  were  then  declared  to  be  nothing  but  the  outpourings  of  British 
rancor."  * 

Turning  to  the  Times  of  July  13th,  of  1849,  we  find  a  letter 
written  by  Jeff  Davis,  copied  from  the  Washington  Uniouy  in 
which  the  repudiator  says :  — 

"  The  crocodile  tears  which  have  been  shed  over  ruined  creditors 
arc  on  a  par  with  the  lawless  denunciations  which  have  been  heaped 
upon  that  State." 

To  this  the  Times  replied :  — 

*'  Taking  its  principles  and  its  tone  together,  it  is  a  doctrine  which 
has  never  been  paralleled.     Let  it  circulate  throughout  Europe,  that  a 

•  Times.  March  19.  1863. 


634  THE  IJOYS  OF  '61.  [April^ 

member  of  the  United  States  Senate  in  1849  has  openly  proclaimed 
that  at  a  recent  period  the  Governor  and  Legislative  assemblies  of  his 
own  State  deliberately  issued  fraudulent  bonds  for  five  million  dollars 
to  sustain  the  credit  of  a  rickety  bank,  that  the  bonds  in  question  hav- 
ing been  hypothecated  abroad  to  innocent  holders,  such  holders  have 
not  only  no  claim  against  the  community  by  whose  Executive  and 
Representatives  this  act  was  committed,  but  that  they  are  to  be  taunted 
for  appealing  to  the  verdict  of  the  civilized  world,  rather  than  to  the 
judgment  of  the  legal  officers  of  the  State  by  whose  functionaries  they 
have  been  robbed,  and  that  the  ruin  of  toil-worn  men,  of  women  and  of 
children,  and  the  crocodile  tears  which  that  ruin  has  occasioned,  is  a 
subject  of  jest  on  the  part  of  those  by  whom  it  has  been  accomplished, 
and  then  let  it  be  asked  if  any  foreigner  ever  penned  a  libel  on  the 
American  character  equal  to  that  against  the  people  of  Mississippi 
by  their  own  Senator."  * 

Mr.  Davis  published  a  rejoinder,  dated  at  Briarfield,  Miss., 
August  29,  1849,  addressed  to  the  editor  of  the  Mississippian. 
"  It  is  a  foreigner's  slander,"  said  he,  "  against  the  govern- 
ment, the  judiciary,  and  the  people  of  the  Mississippi.  It  is 
an  attack  upon  our  republican  government,  the  hypocritical 
cant  of  stock-jobbers  and  pensioned  presses, — by  the  hired 
advocates  of  the  innocent  stock  dealers  of  London  change.  It 
is  a  calumnious  imputation." 

The  State  of  Mississippi  had  obtained  the  money  in  London 
on  the  solemn  pledge  of  the  faith  of  the  State,  and  loaned  it 
to  the  citizens ;  but  the  State  had  broken  its  pledge,  repudiated 
the  debt,  and  Mr.  Jeflf  Davis  eulogized  the  proceeding !  The 
courts  of  the  State  decreed  in  1842  that  the  debt  was  valid, 
and  the  decision  was  reaffirmed  in  1853.  JefF  Davis  was  then 
Secretary  of  War,  and  through  his  efforts  and  influence  the 
State  continued  to  repudiate  the  claims  of  the  British  bond- 
holders. In  1863  Mississippi  was  indebted  to  Englishmen  not 
only  for  the  principal,  $5,000,000,  but  for  twenty-five  years  of 
unpaid  interest ;  yet,  notwithstanding  this,  the  Times,  eating  its 
words  of  other  days,  came  before  the  English  people  with  a 
certificate  of  character  for  the  repudiator,  also  publishing  one 
from  Slidell.  "  I  am  inclined  to  think,"  wrote  Slidell,  "  that 
the  people  in  London  confound  Mr.  Reuben  Davis,  whom  I 

*  Times,  July  13,  1849. 


1865.]  THE  CONFEDERATE  LOAN.  085 

have  always  understood  to  have  taken  the  lead  on  th«  question 
of  repudiation,  with   President   Jefferson   Davis.      I   am  not 
aware  that  the  latter  was  ever  identified  with  the  question." 
The  Times,  commenting  upon  SlidelFs  letter,  said  :  — 

"  It  is  satisfactory  to  jSnd  that  the  friends  of  the  President  of  the 
Confederate  States  are  anxious  to  free  him  from  the  charge  of  having 
been  an  advocate  of  the  repudiation  which  has  now  been  practised  for 
exactly  a  quarter  of  a  century  by  the  State  of  Mississippi 

"  Should  It  turn  out  that  there  has  been  a  mistake,  the  announce- 
ment will  be  hailed  with  warm  gratification,  —  not  from  any  idle 
feeling  of  partisanship  for  the  South,  on  the  one  hand,  or  the  merely 
sordid  consideration  of  the  prospects  of  the  bondholders  on  the  other, 
brt  because  there  can  be  no  question,  whether  his  course  be  judged 
by  Northerners  or  Southerners,  that  in  his  conduct  of  the  existing 
war  Mr.  Jefferson  Davis  has  displayed  such  qualities  as  to  give  the 
world  an  interest  in  wishing  that  the  dishonorable  classes  who  are  to 
be  found  in  every  nation  should  not,  either  now  or  in  the  future,  be 
able  to  point  to  him  as  an  instance  of  the  possibility  of  a  heartless  dis- 
regard of  pecuniary  rights  being  compatible  with  real  greatness  of 
character.  It  is  to  be  apprehended,  however,  that  the  solution  will  not 
come  in  the  manner  contemplated.  Nevertheless,  in  another  way  it 
is  not  out  of  reach,  and  the  best  probability  is  that  the  unhappy  blot 
upon  Mr.  Davis's  reputation  was  caused  by  the  influence  of  an  unscru- 
pulous community  upon  a  then  young  and  aspiring  politician,  deriving 
his  views,  perhaps,  from  the  sophistical  perversions  of  fraudulent  law- 
yers, and  that  he  has  since  discovered  his  mistake,  and  learnt  to  feel 
and  acknowledge  that  if  he  had  again  to  act  in  the  matter,  it  would  be 
in  a  very  different  spirit."  * 

It  was  necessary,  for  the  success  of  the  loan,  to  show  that 
the  South  was  sure  of  obtaining  its  independence,  and  while 
the  editor  of  the  city  article  was  whitewashing  Jeff  Davis,  the 
editor  in  chief  was  assuring  the  public  that  the  Union  was  for- 
ever broken  up. 

Thus  wrote  Mr.  Delaine,  the  editor  in  chief,  on  the  19th  :  — 

"  So  far  as  it  is  concerned,  the  once  United  States  are  a  mere  heap 
of  loose  materials,  a  caldron  of  molten  stuff,  ready  to  receive  what- 
ever form  fortune  may  determine.  In  that  vast  melee  are  two  cen- 
tres, which  severally  strive  to  give  law  and  order  to  the  whole.     At 

•  Times,  March  23,  1863. 


63b  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [April, 

Washington  a  body  of  men,  not  without  courage,  ability,  and  enterprise, 
are  laboring,  not  to  restore  the  Union,  —  they  might  as  well  try  to  re* 
store  the  Heptarchy,  —  but  to  reconquer  what  has  been  lost,  and,  let  the 
worst  come  to  worst,  to  establish  a  military  power." 

On  tho  27th  another  leader  was  given  to  American  affairs. 
Said  the  editor :  — 

**  As  to  tlie  final  issue  of  the  war,  all  the  world,  except  some  politi- 
cians,  soldiers,  and  contractors  at  "Washington  and  New  York,  have 
made  up  their  minds,  ....  excepting  a  few  disappointed  gentlemen  of 
Republican  tendencies,  we  all  expect,  we  nearly  all  wish,  success  to  the 
Confederate  cause." 

And  agam,  on  the  28th  :  — 

"  There  was  room  enough  for  two  states  on  one  continent,  could  the 
Americans  but  have  believed  it.  "We  do  not  affect  to  be  surprised  at 
the  course  they  have  taken.  It  was  natural  that  a  blow  should  be 
struck  for  the  Union ;  but  all  Europe  has  long  seen  that  the  Union 
could  never  be  restored." 

That  men  act  from  motives  is  a  fundamental  truth  of  moral 
philosophy.  Why  the  Times  gave  such  earnest  advocacy  to  tho 
slaveholders  may  be  inferred  from  what  follows.  Opening  now 
the  correspondence  of  D'Erlanger  with  the  Rebel  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury,  we  read,  under  date  of  June  6, 1863  :  — 

"  A  great  margin  had  to  be  given  to  interest  the  newspapers^ 
pay  commissions y  and  captivate  the  opinions  of  those  who  treated 
the  loan  and  its  support  as  a  question  of  profit  and  loss,^^ 

And  further  on,  in  the  same  letter :  — 

"  Thanks  to  great  pecuniary  sacrifices  made,  and  THE  SUPPORT 
OP  ALL  THE  NEWSPAPERS,  the  Subscriptions  for  the  loan  surpassed 
our  own  expectations.  It  reached  five  times  the  amount  of  the 
loan,  and  success  made  everybody  friends ^ 

At  a  later  date,  J.  Ilcnry  Schrocdcr  &  Co.,  in  a  note  marked 
"  private,"  writes  to  D'Erlanger :  — 

"  For  the  advertisements  in  the  Times,  through  Mr.  Samp- 
son, and  later  on  in  the  Index,  concerning  the  payment  of  tlie 
coupons,  we  shall  do  the  needful.^^ 

Thus  we  learn,  from  the  statement  of  D'Erlanger,  that  the 
Times,  upon  which  John  Bull  pins  his  faith,  was  not  only  by 
sympathy,  but  through  interest,  the  advocate  of  the  loan  and 


1865.]  THE  CONFEDERATE  LOAN.  687 

of  tlio  slave-lords*  Confederacy.  Its  financial  articles  and  its 
leaders  were  written  to  the  order  of  D'Erlanger.  By  the  aid  of 
the  Times,  a  Parisian  Jew,  taking  advantage  of  the  sympathy 
expressed  for  the  South  hy  lords,  members  of  Parliament, 
bankers,  business  men,  and  adventurers,  and  of  the  general 
gullibility  of  the  British  public,  was  able  to  secure  a  subscrip- 
tion of  forty-five  million  dollars,  —  or  thirty  million  in  excess 
of  the  loan !  On  page  532  we  have  seen  that  the  Liverpool 
correspondent  of  the  Times  had  been  quieted  by  a  commission 
of  XG,500  ($30,000),  not  for  services  rendered,  but  to  secure 
his  interest,  as  explained  in  D'Erlangcr's  letter  to  Mcmminger, 
written  on  the  8th  of  July,  18G3.     The  banker  says :  — 

"  When  our  loan  contract  was  coming  back  from  America,  tliis  gen- 
tleman [Mr.  Spence]  wanted  to  interfere  in  the  matter,  by  all  means, 
and  claimed  a  partnership  to  the  contract  of  one  sixth,  under  the  pre- 
tence that  he  was  the  financial  agent  of  the  Confederate  government 
in  England,  and  that  our  making  the  loan  had  put  him  out  of  business 
which  he  might  otherwise  have  transacted  for  the  South.  We  knew 
that  Mr.  Spence  wrote  frequently  for  the  Times,  that  as  a  public 
writer  he  could  do  a  great  deal  of  harm  if  not  any  good.  We  suc- 
ceeded in  escaping  his  intrusion,  and  when  I  had  made  arrangements  to 
bring  out  the  loan  in  England,  I  followed  his  invitation  to  arrange  mat- 
ters with  him  in  Liverpool,  and  went  down  there  myself.  I  gave  him 
£50,000  of  the  loan  at  seventy-seven,  taking  them  back  at  ninety, 
which  gave  him  a  commission  as  profit  of  £  6,500." 

These  extracts  from  D'ICrlanger's  correspondence  will  serve 
to  sliow  the  American  people  that  the  London  Times  was  in  the 
service  and  pay  of  Jeff  Davis  during  the  llebelliou. 

On  the  evenhig  of  the  23d  Lord  Campbell  called  up  the 
American  question  in  Parliament,  making  a  speech  in  favor  of 
recognizing  the  Confederacy.  He  spoke  of  the  remarkable  suc- 
cess of  the  loan  as  a  proof  that  the  English  public  were  ready 
to  aid  the  South.  The  loan  being  thus  bolstered  up  rose  to 
four  and  a  half  per  cent  premium. 

Mr.  McRae  having  arrived  in  France,  there  was  a  meeting 
of  distinguished  Rebels  hi  Paris  on  the  4th  of  June,  at  D'Er- 
langcr's banking-house.     Mason,  Slidell,  and  L.  J.  C.  Lamar,- 
who  had  been  purchasing  supplies  in  London  for  the  Confed 
eracy,— and  McRae  were  present.      The  object  of  the  meet 


638  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [April, 

ing  was  to  consider  the  financial  condition  of  the  Confederate 
government  in  Europe.  The  indebtedness  of  the  Confederacy 
abroad,  for  cannon,  arms,  ships,  and  supplies,  at  that  time,  was 
put  down  at  £  1,741,000  ($8,705,000).  "  At  the  same  time," 
reads  the  correspondence,  "  Ermile  d'Erlanger  &  Co.  fhrnished 
the  meeting  with  a  full  statement  concerning  the  loan.  Accord- 
mg  to  which,  .£1,850,000  (19,250,000)  of  the  loan  is  in  circu- 
lation ;  a  part  of  which  is  full  paid,  having  been  subscribed  for 
by  the  creditors  of  the  government." 

The  balance  of  £  1,150,000  was  in  the  hands  of  D'Erlanger 
for  disposal.  In  a  letter  written  two  days  later,  on  the  6th,  by 
D'Erlanger  to  Memminger,  we  learn  how  there  happened  to  be 
so  large  an  amount  of  the  stock  on  hand.  Unfavorable  news 
from  Amenca  caused  a  feeling  of  uneasiness,  and  speculative 
holders  began  to  sell  at  depreciated  rates. 

"  An  arrangement,"  says  D'Erlanger,  "  was  thereupon  entered 
mto  with  Mr.  Mason,  and  heartily  approved  by  Mr.  Slidell,  which 
enabled  us  to  buy  for  the  government  £  1,000,000  of  the  stock; 
but  so  eager  was  the  speculation,  that  this  did  not  suffice,  and 
the  sum  had  to  be  extended  to  £  1,500,000.  This  operation 
had  its  effect,  and  better  tidings  helped  the  market." 

Upon  this  amount  purchased  by  D'Erlanger  to  sustain  the 
price  of  the  loan,  35  per  cent  had  been  paid  in  by  the  sub- 
scribers. 

"  We  would  not,"  writes  the  banker,  "  have  recommended 
the  course  of  bujring  back  part  of  the  loan  for  the  government, 
but  for  its  peculiar  character.  The  first  Confederate  loan  was 
as  much  a  political  as  a  commercial  transaction,  and  we  have 

done  everything  that  it  may  be  regarded  in  both  ways 

We,  as  well  as  our  friends  Messrs.  Schroeder,  are  happy  to  have 
been  able  to  lend  our  names  and  credit  to  the  first  financial 
operation  of  the  South." 

On  the  13th  of  June  McRae  wrote  to  D'Erlanger  a  sharp  let^ 
ter,  charging  him  with  "  unauthorized  proceedings."  D'Erlan- 
ger was  playing  a  good  game  for  himself. 

"  These  important  modifications  of  the  contract,"  wrote 
McRae,  "  have  in  every  case  inured  to  the  benefit  of  the  con- 
tractors.'* 

D'Erlanger   replied  on  the  same  day,  saying,  "  The  opera- 


i865.j  THE  CONFEDERATE  LOAN.  5HM 

tiou  [the  repurchase  of  the  stock]  was  not  conducted  on  any 
selfish  ground,  but  for  the  political  feeling  attached  to  the  loan." 
It  made  no  difference  to  D'Erlanger  whether  he  bought  or  sold 
on  government  account,  so  long  as  he  received  his  commissions. 
He  objected,  however,  to  receiving  the  full  amount  of  his  com- 
mission in  bonds ;  he  must  have  part  cash. 

"  We  should,"  wrote  he,  "be  under  too  heavy  an  outlay  il 
wc  had  to  take  the  .£150,000  commission  in  bonds."  This 
commission,  therefore,  up  to  the  15th  of  June,  1863,  had 
reached  the  nice  little  sum  of  $750,000! 

D'Erlanger  having  disposed  of  the  stock  to  good  advantage, 
was  anxious  to  bring  out  a  second  loan  on  the  same  terms.  In 
a  letter  written  to  Memminger  on  the  8th  of  July  we  discover 
what  those  terms  were. 

"  We  are  ready,"  said  he,  "  to  make  a  new  loan  contract, 
taking  exactly  the  terms  of  the  old  contract,  and  engaging  to 
divide  with  the  government  the  profits  to  be  realized,  between 
the  rate  of  77  and  the  issue  price." 

The  loan  then  on  the  market  was  issued  at  90,  which  gave 
D'Erlanger  a  commission  of  6|  per  cent,  —  a  portion  of  which 
doubtless  went  into  the  pocket  of  Slidell.  D'Erlanger  was 
fearful  that  the  success  of  the  loan  would  brmg  proposals  from 
other  banking-houses.  "  We  wish,"  said  he,  "  that  the  circum- 
stance of  our  names  being  the  first  connected  with  a  large 
financial  transaction  for  the  government  in  Europe  shall  tell  in 
our  favor,  and  that  a  preference  shall  be  granted  to  us,  which 
we  are  quite  ready  to  merit,  by  making  better  terms  to  the 
government  than  any  other  respectable  house  may  offer." 

This  proposition  was  indorsed  by  McRae,  who  the  following 
week  accompanied  D'Erlanger  to  Rippaldson,  where  ''  a  charm- 
ing company "  had  gathered,  and  "  an  agreeable  week  was 
passed  in  the  society  of  Madame  Caroline  and  Miss  Theresa." 
McRae,  in  a  letter  written  on  the  17th,  urges  a  new  loan,  but 
the  news  from  Gettysburg  and  Vicksburg  had  "  lessened  the 
appetite,"  and  we  hear  no  more  of  the  proposition  for  a  second 
loan. 

At  a  later  date,  in  December,  the  correspondence  is  in  regard 
to  the  purchase  of  boats  for  the  government,  in  which  tlie  Paris 
banker  takes  the  part  of  Shylock :  — 


640  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [April, 

*'  Well  then,  it  now  appears  you  need  n  v  help : 
Go  to  then ;  you  come  to  me,  and  you  say, 
Shylock,  tee  would  have  moneys." 

McRae  wanted  X  200,000  on  government  account,  and  ap- 
plied  to  D'Erlanger,  whose  terms  will  be  seen  from  the  following 
extract  from  McRae' s  letter :  — 

"  Your  proposition  amounts  to  this :  That  the  government  should  pay 
100  per  cent  for  the  use  of  £200,000,  for  probably  less  than  six 
months,  with  no  risk  on  the  part  of  the  lenders^  as  the  £  050,000  of 
bonds  deposited,  and  the  lien  on  the  boats  purchased  with  the  sum  lent, 
would  protect  them  against  loss  in  any  event.  My  proposition  was  to 
pay  33 J  for  £200,000,  for  a  period  of  probably  ten  or  twelve 
months.  This  I  considered  sufficiently  favorable  for  the  lenders,  as 
they  would  have  been  secured  by  the  deposit  of  £333,333  of  bonds, 
and  a  lien  on  the  boats." 

Tlie  American  people,  doubtless,  care  very  little  who  among 
Rebel  agents  and  manipulators  of  the  loan,  or  who  of  the  bond- 
holders, made  or  lost  money,  and  I  pass  over  the  details  of 
the  interesting  correspondence.  That  D'Erlanger  managed  it 
shrewdly  for  his  own  benefit  is  very  evident.  He  charged  in- 
terest, commission,  and  exchange  on  all  the  stock  passing 
through  his  hands.  Li  the  transaction  X  140,000,  raised  from 
the  sale  of  bonds,  was  set  aside  as  "  caution  money"  by  Mason 
and  Slidell,  who  wished,  for  political  considerations,  to  keep  the 
stock  at  par.  D'Erlanger  charged  conunission  on  the  re- 
purchase of  this  stock,  although  he  held  it  in  his  own  name, 
and  received  interest  on  tlie  same !  McRae  was  not  then  in 
Europe,  but  upon  arriving  he  refused  to  ratify  the  act  of  Mason 
and  Slidell,  but  made  a  proposition  to  D'Erlanger  that  the 
banker  should  place  £  704,000  of  unsold  stock.  It  is  not 
stated  what  commission  he  was  to  receive.  Tlie  agreement 
was  verbal,  and  D'Erlanger  was  to  forfeit  £  140,000  if  the 
stock  was  not  placed  at  the  end  of  six  months.  The  months 
rolled  away,  and  the  stock  was  not  placed,  and  D'Erlanger, 
instead  of  paying  his  forfeiture,  held  on  to  the  £  140,000  of 
caution  money,  and  helped  himself  to  the  interest  from  gov- 
ernment funds  in  his  hands !  McRae  had  no  redress  except 
to  appeal  to  Memminger.  D'Erlanger  wrote  a  honeyed  letter 
to  the  Rebel  Secretary  of  Treasury,  and  offered  to  "  compro* 


1865.]  THE  CONFEDERATE  LOAN.  041 

mise  '*  by  giving  up  one  half !  McRae  finally  accepted  terms 
from  D'Erlangcr;  what  they  were  is  not  stated,  but  McRae 
writes  a  doleful  letter  to  the  banker,  saying  that  he  is  afraid 
Memminger  and  Davis  will  censure  him.  D'Erlangcr  seems 
to  have  wound  McRae  round  his  finger  at  will. 

Schroeder  &  Co.  were  in  the  "ring"  with  D'Erlangcr,  and 
received  commission  and  brokerage  on  the  entire  amount  of 
the  loan,  X  3,000,000.  D'Erlangcr,  Schroeder,  and  McRae 
each  took  £50,000  of  stock  in  the  "Franco-English  Steam 
Navigation  Company,"  wliich  was  to  bring  out  cotton  on  gov 
ernmcnt  account.  D'Erlangcr  fixed  the  date  of  issuing  the 
bonds,  and  tluis  brought  advantage  to  himself.  Among  the 
payments  made  through  Mr.  Mason  were  X  55,000  to  Captain 
Crenshaw,  X  26,000  to  Captain  North,  X  38,000  to  Captain 
Maury,  £  31,000  to  Captain  Bullock  and  Mr.  Spcncc.  A  por- 
tion of  these  sums  went  into  the  hands  of  the  Lairds  for  the  rams 
which  they  were  building.  Isaac  Campbell  &  Co.  received 
X  515,000  ($2,575,000).  This  firm  took  X  150,000  of  the 
loan.  Bonds  to  the  amount  of  X  117,000  were  converted  into 
cotton.  It  appears  that  D'Erlangcr  endeavored  to  sweep  these 
into  his  drag-net,  and  obtain  commission  and  brokerage  wholly 
unauthorized. 

Since  the  close  of  the  war  the  British  holders  of  the  loan 
have  called  upon  D'Erlangcr  for  an  account  of  his  operations,  but 
can  obtain  no  satisfaction.  They  have  despatched  an  agent  to 
the  United  States,  appealing  to  the  magnanimity  of  the  Federal 
government  for  an  adjustment  and  payment  of  their  claims ! 
Such  insolent  audacity  has  been  promptly  rebuked  by  Mr. 
Seward.  Marvellous  their  stupidity  and  efirontery,  —  to  ask 
pay  for  the  coals  on  which  they  sought  to  roast  us,  for  the 
rope  that  was  to  strangle  the  young  giant  of  the  West,  whose 
growth  they  had  beheld  with  alarm,  and  whose  power  they 
feared !  As  is  evident  from  the  correspondence  in  my  posses- 
sion, the  whole  scheme  was  well  contrived  and  manipulated 
by  Slidell  and  D'Erlangcr  for  the  benefit  of  themselves,  and 
also  of  Campbell  &  Co.,  Schroeder  &  Co.,  Spence,  the  Lairds, 
and  McRae,  who,  by  the  aid  of  the  London  Times,  and  "  all 
the  paper s,^^  were  able  to  fleece  the  English  aristocracy  out 
of  fifteen  million  dollars. 


542 


THE   BOYS   OF   '61. 


[April, 


From  mercenary  motives  they  enlisted  in  the  cause  of 
slavery  to  destroy  a  friendly  ix'])ublican  government.  They 
had^ersistently  asserted  that  a  constitutional  democracy  like 
ours  must  ultimately  fail  to  secure  the  rights  and  liberties  of 
the  .people,  —  tliat  internal  war  would  crumble  it  into  ruins 
like  the  ancient  republics;  and  now  they  thought  tlie  fulfilment 
of  their  prophecy  so  near  at  hand  it  was  unnecessary  longer  to 
disguise  their  hatred,  and  openly  gave  their  "aid  and  comfort" 
to  the  enemy,  jeering  at  our  efforts  and  denouncing  our  meas- 
ures to  maintain  our  existence  among  tlic  nations.  They  ven- 
tured their  money  on  the  doubtful  issue  and  lost,  and  now  so 
lugubriously  bewail  their  folly  as  to  make  themselves  ridicu- 
lous in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  and  the  laughiug-stock  of  the 
imerican  people. 


PATRIOT    ORIMIAN    IIOMK,       FLUSHING,    L.I. 


ib65.]  SUBBENDER   OF   LEE.  548 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

SURRENDER    OF    LEE. 

jlt  toree  o'clock  Monday  morning,  Apri]  3d,  Wilcox's  divls 
lou  of  the  Ninth  Corps  entered  Petersburg  just  in  season  to 
see  the  rear  guard  of  iuce's  army  disappear  over  the  hills  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  Appomattox,  having  burned  the  bridges 
and  destroyed  all  the  supplies  which  could  not  be  transported. 
Lee's  army  was  divided,  —  Longstreet,  Pickett,  and  Johnson 
being  south  of  the  stream,  fifteen  miles  west  of  the  city.  Gor- 
don, Mahone,  Ewell,  and  Elzy,  with  the  immense  trains  of  sup- 
plies and  batteries  from  Richmond,  were  north  of  the  river,  — 
all  moving  southwest,  towards  Danville,  with  the  mtention  of 
joining  Johnston  in  North  Carolina. 

"  Good  by,  boys,"  said  the  women  of  Petersburg,  some  sor- 
rowfully ;  others  more  joyful  cried,  "  We  '11  drink  pure  coffee, 
with  sugar  in  it,  to-morrow.  No  more  hard  times."*  They 
were  weary  of  war.  The  troops  passed  through  the  town  in 
silence  and  dejection.  It  was  a  sorrowful  march.  The  succes- 
sive disasters  of  Sunday,  the  sudden  breaking  up,  the  destruc- 
tion of  property,  the  scenes  of  the  night,  soon  had  their  effect 
upon  the  spirits  of  the  army.  Soldiers  slipped  from  the  ranks, 
disappeared  in  the  woods,  and  threw  away  their  muskets,  sick  at 
heart,  and  disgusted  with  war.  Virginia  soldiers  had  little  in- 
clination to  abandon  the  Old  Dominion  and  fight  in  North  Car- 
olina. They  were  State-rights  men, — each  State  for  itself.  If 
Secession  could  cut  loose  from  the  Union,  why  not  from  the 
Confederacy  ? 

Before  noon  the  troops  moving  from  Petersburg,  and  those 
retreating  from  Richmond,  with  all  the  baggage-trains  and  fly- 
ing citizens,  came  together  on  the  Chesterfield  road,  producing 
confusion  and  delay.     Had  Lee  thrown  his  supply  trains  upon 

•  Lee's  Last  Campaign,  p.  26. 


644  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [April, 

the  Lynchburg  road,  and  made  a  day's  march  farther  west  with 
his  army,  instead  of  takhig  the  nearest  road  to  Danville,  he 
probably  would  have  escaped ;  but  his  progress  was  very  slow. 
The  roads  were  soft,  the  wagons  overloaded.  The  stalling  of  a 
single  horse  in  the  advance  delayed  the  wliole  army. 

The  teamsters  were  quite  as  unwilling  to  go  south  as  the  sol- 
diers. They  were  expecthig  every  moment  to  hear  the  ringing 
shouts  of  Sheridan's  men  cliarging  upon  their  flank  or  rear. 
There  were  frequent  panics,  which  set  them  into  a  fever  of 
excitement,  and  added  to  the  confusion. 

Grant  determined  to  prevent  Lee's  escape  if  possible.  The 
Ninth  Corps  was  detailed  to  hold  the  town,  guard  the  railroad, 
reconstruct  it,  and  follow  the  other  corps  as  a  reserve.  The 
Second,  Fifth,  and  Sixth  Corps,  instead  of  crossing  the  river 
were  sent  upon  the  double-quick  along  the  road  wliich  runs 
between  the  Appomattox  and  the  South  Side  Railroad. 

Ord,  with  the  divisions  of  the  Twenty-Fourth  and  Twenty- 
Fifth  Corps,  marched  for  Burkcsville  Junction.  Sheridan,  being 
in  advance  with  the  cavalry,  reached  Jettersville,  on  the  Rich- 
mond and  Danville  road,  forty-four  miles  from  Richmond,  on 
the  4th,  tore  up  the  track,  intrenched  his  position,  and  waited 
for  the  infantry.  Meade  joined  him  on  the  morning  of  the 
6th,  while  Ord,  by  a  forced  marcli,  reached  Burkcsville,  south 
of  Sheridan. 

Lee  crossed  the  Appomattox  at  Clemenstown,  moved  south- 
west to  Amelia  Courtrllouse,  where  he  was  joined  by  Long- 
street's,  Pickett's,  and  Johnson's  troops.  The  Appomattox  has 
its  rise  in  Prince  Edward  county,  runs  northeast,  approaching 
witliin  fifteen  miles  of  the  James,  then  turns  southeast,  and 
joins  the  James  at  Petersburg. 

The  bridge  at  Clemenstown,  on  which  Lee  crossed  was  nar- 
row And  unsafe,  and  the  army  was  much  hindered.  Had  he 
not  crossed  at  all,  but  marched  round  the  bend  instead,  he- 
might  have  slipped  past  Sheridan  while  that  officer  was  waiting 
at  Jettersville  for  Meade  to  join  him.  On  the  5th  Meade,  find- 
ing that  ho  was  ahead  of  Lee,  instead  of  marching  west,  turned 
northeast,  and  swept  up  the  railroad  toward  Amelia,  with  the 
Fifth  Corps  on  the  right,  the  f  jcond  in  the  centre,  and  the 
Sixth  on  the  left  with  the  cavalry.     Lee,  seeing  that  he 'could 


1865.]  SURRENDEB   OF  LEE.  645 

not  go  down  the  railroad,  instead  of  marching  southwest,  as  he 
had  done  the  day  before,  moved  directly  west,  to  give  Meade 
the  slip  if  possible.  He  abandoned  wagons,  caissons,  and  for- 
age, and  everything  that  impeded  his  march. 

The  Rebels  had  reached  their  Bull  Run.  The  trains  from 
Richmond  were  crossing  the  bridge  when  a  panic  set  in. 
"  While  we  were  gazing,"  says  a  iCebel  writer,  *'  at  the  wagons 
moving  up  from  the  bridge  and  entering  the  road  leading  to 
the  Court-House,  our  ears  caught  the  sound  of  five  or  six  shots 
in  succession ;  and,  looking  in  the  direction  whence  the  sound 
came,  we  perceived  two  or  three  horsemen  emerge  from  a 
wood  about  half  a  mile  distant,  and  as  quickly  retire.  We 
could  not  discern  their  uniform,  but  the  supposition  was,  of 
course,  that  they  were  a  part  of  Sheridan's  cavalry.  There 
was  a  slight  confusion  at  the  head  of  the  train,  and  then  a  halt. 
*  The  Yankees !  Sheridan  ! '  As  the  cry  echoed  from  man  to 
man,  the  teamsters  began  to  turn  their  mules  towards  the 
river,  many  involving  themselves  with  those  in  their  rear, 
while  others  dismounted  and  sought  the  nearest  wood.  In  five 
minutes  the  scene  had  been  changed  from  quiet  to  the  utmost 
disorder.  The  wagons  were  turned  back  with  astonishiro' 
rapidity,  each  teamster  unmercifully  lashing  his  jaded  animaxo, 
as  anxious  to  reach  the  other  side  as  an  hour  before  he  had 
been  to  get  to  this.  The  cavalry,  who  had  been  scattered  over 
the  fields  cooking  or  eating  their  breakfasts,  now  caught  the 
alarm,  and  leaving  their  rations  grasped  their  bridles,  mount- 
ed, and  spurred  their  horses  towards  the  bridge.  For  this 
point  all  were  aiming,  and  the  foot-sore  infantry  now  seemed 
to  have  but  a  poor  chance  of  life  in  the  road  now  jammed  with 
wagons,  mules,  and  mounted  men.  The  narrow  defile,  bounded 
on  either  side  by  tall  rocks,  was  filled  with  horses,  wagons,  and 
men,  all  unable  to  advance  a  foot  toward  the  desired  point. 
....  Upon  the  other  side  (north)  the  panic  was  even  greater, 
the  rumor  prevailing  that  five  hundred  Yankees  were  in  our 
front,  and  that  a  large  number  of  our  wagons  had  been  cap- 
tured and  burned.  Vainly  plunging  their  sharp  spurs  into  the 
steaming  flanks  of  the  poor  mules,  and  still  unable  to  make 
them  trot  through  the  mud  and  up  the  steep  hills,  ^lie  team- 
sters cut  loose  the  traces,  and  remounting  would  gallop  away. 


54b  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [April, 

flourishmg  their  long  whips,  yelling,  and  urging  their  horses 
to  the  utmost  speed.  Forsaking  the  road,  they  leaped  the 
fences,  thronged  the  fields,  and  sought  the  wood  for  hiding- 
places Scores  of  hroken-down  and  wrecked  wagons  and 

ambulances  were  overturned  and  abandoned,  their  contents 
behig  strewed  over  the  road ;  corn  and  oats,  meal  and  flour 
covered  the  ground,  while  quartermaster's  papers  were  scat- 
tered in  every  direction.  Clotliing  and  even  medicinal  stores 
had  been  in  like  manner  thrown  away."  * 

When  General  Meade  discovered  Lee's  new  movement,  he 
wheeled  toward  the  left,  and  faced  the  Second  and  Fifth  Corp? 
northwest.  The  Fifth  Corps  moved  up  to  Painesville,  which 
is  northwest  of  Amelia ;  but  Griflin,  commanding,  was  too  late 
to  strike  Lee,  whose  rear-guard  had  passed  that  point.  The 
Scccyid  Corps  moved  through  Deatonville,  which  is  five  miles 
west  of  Jcttersville,  while  the  Sixth  Corps,  moving  southwest, 
came  upon  the  Rebels  on  Little  Sailor's  Creek,  a  small  tribu- 
tary of  the  Appomattox,  running  north.  The  Twenty-Fourth 
Corps  meanwhile,  marching  from  Burkesville  up  the  railroad, 
joined  the  Sixth  Corps  at  the  head  of  the  creek. 

\Jarly  in  the  morning  of  the  6th  General  Ord  directed  that 
tno  Petersburg  and  Lynchburg  Railroad  bridge  across  the 
Appomattox  V  seized  and  held  if  possible ;  if  not  able  to  hold 
it,  the  troops  were  to  destroy  it.  The  Fifty-Fourth  Pennsyl- 
vania and  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Ohio  were  sent  to 
do  the  work.  They  moved  toward  the  river,  but  suddenly 
found  themselves  on  the  right  flank  of  Lee's  army,  which 
was  in  line  of  battle,  between  Sailor's  Creek  and  the  Appo- 
mattox. 

Lee  made  a  stand  at  this  point  to  save  his  trains.  He  was 
still  hoping  to  reach  Danville.  If  he  could  ^ight  a  successful 
battle,  his  wagons  would  have  time  to  slip  away  from  Sheridan. 
He  had  already  been  forced  ten  miles  out  of  his  direct  Une  of 
march,  and  if  he  failed  here  he  must  give  up  all  expectation 
of  reaching  Danville,  and  strike  west  towards  Lynchburg. 

His  army  stood  on  the  west  bank  of  Sailors'  Creek,  facing 
east  and  southeast,  behind  intrenchments,  with  the  Appomat* 
tox,  which  ncre  runs  northeast,  behind  him. 

•  Rebel  Courier's  Experience. 


1865.]  SURRENDER   OF   LEE.  547 

Walking  along  the  Union  lines  we  see  that  the  Fifth  Corps 
is  not  yet  up  from  its  long  detour  north  toward  Painesville,  but 
the  Second  Corps  is  approaching  the  creek  four  miles  above  its 
jimction  with  the  Appomattox.  One  division  of  cavalry  is  on 
its  right  flank,  reaching  down  to  the  river.  The  Sixth  Corps 
is  on  the  left  of  the  Second,  facing  west.  There  is  a  break 
in  the  line  as  we  go  towards  Ord's  command,  which  is  near 
Burkesville,  facing  northwest,  with  Sheridan's  cavalry  on  both 
flanks. 

The  forenoon  was  passed  in  skirmishing  on  the  part  of  the 
Union  troops.  The  regiments  sent  to  seize  the  bridge  were  not 
able  to  accomplish  the  task,  and  were  driven  with  severe  loss. 
But  now  the  Second  Corps  came  up,  a  foothold  was  gained 
across  the  creek,  and  Lee's  left  flank  was  forced  towards  the 
river. 

It  was  nearly  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  before  the  Sixth 
Corps  came  up  with  the  Rebels.  This  corps  had  been  march- 
ing southwest ;  but  when  the  skirmishers  discovered  the  enemy, 
Wright  halted  Seymour's  division,  which  was  in  advance,  faced 
it  west,  while  Wheaton's  division  filed  past  Seymour's  and  took 
position  on  the  left.  The  third  division  was  in  reserve.  The 
cavalry  was  on  the  left  of  Wheaton.  Sheridan  found  himself 
confronted  by  Ewell's  and  Kershaw's  divisions,  which  were 
strongly  intrenched. 

Seymour  and  Wheaton  moved  from  the  road  west,  went  down 
the  steep  declivity  into  the  ravine,  receiving  the  fire  of  the 
Rebels  without  flinching,  crossed  the  creek,  ascended  the  other 
bank,  and  dashed  upon  the  intrenchments.  At  the  same  moment 
Custar's  division  of  cavalry  advanced  with  sabres  drawn,  their 
horses  upon  the  run,  goaded  with  spur  and  quickened  by  shout, 
till  they  caught  the  wild  enthusiasm  of  their  riders,  and  horses 
and  men  unitedly  became  as  fiery  Centaurs,  the  earth  trem- 
bling beneath  the  tread  of  the  thousands  of  hoofs,  the  air  re- 
sounding with  bugle-blasts  and  thrilling  cheers  ! 

The  charge  of  this  division  was  heroic.  The  Rebel  artillery 
opened  with  sliells,  followed  by  canister.  The  infantry,  protect 
ed  by  breastworks,  were  able  to  give  a  galling  fire,  but  the 
squadrons  swept  everything  before  them,  leaping  the  intrench- 
ments, sabring  all  who  resisted,  crushing  the  wl  ole  of  Lee's 


648  THE  BOYS  OF  '61.  [  A.pril, 

right  wing  by  a  single  blow,  gathering  up  thousands  of  pris- 
oners, who  stood  as  if  paralyzed  by  the  tremendous  shock. 

Entire  regiments  threw  down  their  arms.  Miles  of  wagois, 
caissons,  ambulances,  forges,  arms,  ammunition,  —  all  that  be- 
longed to  that  portion  of  the  line,  was  lost  to  Lee  in  a  moment. 
Generals  Ewell,  Kershaw,  Defoe,  Barton,  Custis  Lee,  Borden, 
and  Corse  were  prisoners  almost  before  they  knew  it. 

'^  Further  fighting  is  useless  ;  it  will  be  a  waste  of  life,"  said 
Ewell  to  Custar 

"  Bravely  done,  Custar,"  said  Sheridan,  riding  up,  and  com- 
plimenting his  lieutenant  in  the  presence  of  the  whole  division. 

It  was  through  the  co-operation  of  the  other  cavalry  divis- 
ions. Crook's  and  Devens's  and  Merritt's,  and  of  the  Sixth 
Corps,  that  Custar  was  enabled  to  strike  such  a  crushing 
blow.  Honor  is  due  to  all.  Custar  had  his  horse  killed  ;  Lieu- 
tenant Harwell,  Captain  Bamhart,  Lieutenant  Narvall,  Lieu- 
tenant Main,  and  Lieutenant  Custar,  all  belonging  to  his  staff, 
also  had  their  horses  shot  in  the  splendid  charge,  which  of 
itself  proves  that  it  was  gallant  and  desperate.  Officers  and 
men  alike  rushed  upon  the  enemy,  rivalling  each  other  in  deeds 
of  daring. 

After  receiving  this  paralyzing  blow  Lee  gave  up  all  hope 
of  reaching  Danville.  He  could  move  only  in  the  direction  of 
Lynchburg.  Caissons,  wagons,  and  ambulances  were  burned, 
cannon  abandoned,  commissary  supplies  left  by  the  roadside. 

It  was  a  day  of  jubilee  to  the  colored  people,  who  swarmed 
out  from  their  cabins  and  appropriated  the  plunder. 

"  'Pears  like  as  if  we  were  spiling  the  Egyptians,"  said  an 
old  man  who  had  gathered  an  immense  pile  of  blankets  and 
coats. 

There  was  a  skirmish  at  Farmville  the  next  morning,  between 
the  cavalry  and  the  left  wing  of  Lee's  army.  The  centre,  and 
what  remained  of  the  right  wing,  crossed  the  Appomattox  ten 
miles  above  Farmville,  —  both  columns  moving  to  Appomattox 
Court-House,  where  Lee  hoped  to  unite  his  scattered  forces. 

Grant  and  Meade,  with  tlie  Second  and  Sixth  Corps,  crossed 
at  Farmville,  and  followed  Lee  along  the  Petersburg  and  Lynch- 
burg turnpike.  Ord,  joined  by  the  Fifth,  starting  from  Burkes- 
ville,  took  the  shortest  road  to  Appomattox  Court-House,  nearly 


1866.]  SUKRENDER   OF   LEE.  549 

fifty  miles  distant,  while  Sheridan,  with  the  main  body  of  the 
cavalry,  made  a  rapid  movement  southwest  to  cut  off  Lee's  re- 
treat. The  pursuit  from  Sailors'  Creek  commenced  on  Friday 
morning,  and  Lee  was  brought  to  bay  Saturday  noon. 

It  was  an  exciting  race.  There  were  frequent  interchanges 
of  shots  between  the  cavalry,  hovering  like  a  cloud  upon  Lee's 
flank,  also  captures  of  abandoned  wagons,  ambulances,  caissons, 
pieces  of  artillery,  and  picking  up  of  stragglers.  Glimpses  of 
the  Rebel  forces  were  sometimes  had  across  the  ravines.  As  a 
sight  of  the  flying  deer  quickens  the  pursuit  of  the  hound, 
so  an  occasional  view  of  the  flying  enemy  roused  the  soldiers 
to  a  wild  and  irrepressible  enthusiasm,  and  their  shouts  and 
cheers  rang  long  and  loud  through  the  surrounding  woodlands. 

Appomattox  Court-House  is  at  the  head-waters  of  the  Appo- 
mattox River,  on  the  table-land  between  the  rivulets  which  give 
rise  to  that  stream  and  the  James  River,  which  makes  its  great 
southern  bend  at  Lynchburg.  The  place  is  sometimes  called 
Clover  Hill.  It  is  a  small  village,  —  such  as  are  to  be  seen 
throughout  the  Old  Dominion,  —  one  or  two  good,  substantial 
houses,  surrounded  by  a  dozen  or  twenty  miserable  cabins. 

Lee  succeeded  in  reuniting  his  troops,  numbering  not  more 
than  a  division,  such  as  once  marched  under  his  direction  up 
the  heights  of  Gettysburg,  or  moved  into  the  fight  in  the  Wil- 
derness ;  but  when  reunited  and  ready  to  move  upon  Lynch- 
burg, lie  found  the  cloud  which  had  hung  upon  his  flank  and 
rear  now  enveloping  him  on  the  north,  the  east,  the  south,  the 
west.  Sheridan  had  swung  past  him,  Ord  and  Griffin  were 
south  of  him,  holding  the  road  leading  to  Danville,  while 
Wright  and  Humphrey,  east  and  north,  were  preparing  to 
drive  him  over  against  Sheridan,  who  in  turn  would  toss  him 
down  towards  Ord  and  Griffin. 

Great  was  the  consternation  in  the  Rebel  ranks  when,  on 
Saturday  morning,  the  Rebels  discovered  that  Sheridan  was 
cutting  off  their  retreat  to  Lynchburg. 

"  Yankees  at  Appomattox  !  Sheridan  !  "  *  was  the  cry  of  a 
party  of  Rebel  officers  on  a  locomotive,  hastening  to  Lynchburg 
in  season  to  escape  the  Union  cavalrymen  then  advancing  to 


*  Rebel  Courier's  Experience. 


650  THE   BOYS   OF   "61.  [April, 

tear  up  the  rails.  Sheridan  pounced  upon  the  artillery,  and  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  8th  captured  twenty-five  pieces.  Meade 
at  the  same  time  came  upon  the  rear  of  the  Rebels  a  mile 
east  of  the  Court-House,  and  captured  a  battery.  Lee's  men 
were  melting  away,  worn  down  by  hard  marching  and  fighting, 
and  discouraged  by  defeat  and  disaster.  His  provisions  were 
getting  low,  as  the  larger  part  of  the  supplies  had  been  aban- 
doned.    His  condition  was  critical. 

It  was  a  gloomy  night.  A  courier  brought  intelligence  that 
Sheridan  had  possession  of  Concord  Station. 

"  We  all  felt,"  says  a  Rebel  writer,  "  our  hearts  chilled  by 
this  new  rumor.  Concord  Station  was  between  us  and  Lynch- 
burg, and  we  had  no  knowledge  of  any  other  road  to  that  place 
than  that  which  we  were  pursuing.  Turning  back,  our  capture 
was  inevitable.  Tlie  generals  withdrew  to  consult,  the  staff 
ofiicers  conversed  ni  low  tones,  while  the  soldiers,  teamsters, 
the  cause  being  unknown,  did  not  hesitate  to  declare  their  im- 
patience at  the  delay."  * 

Lee  called  his  last  council  of  war,  summoning  Longstreet, 
Pickett,  Gordon,  and  Hill.  The  condition  of  affairs  was  dis- 
cussed. It  was  a  sad  hour.  Lee  was  much  depressed.  He  did 
not  know  that  the  infantry  under  Ord  and  Griffin  were  south 
of  him,  but  supposed  that  his  way  was  disputed  only  by  Sheri- 
dan. It  was  decided  to  force  a  passage.  The  attack  was  made  ; 
but  the  volleys  of  musketry  and  the  vigor  of  the  cannonade, 
and  the  long  lines  of  men  in  blue,  convinced  him  that  he  had 
little  chance  of  escaping.  The  skirmishing  was  kept  up 
through  the  day,  —  both  parties  too  wearied  and  exhausted 
to  fight  a  general  battle,  —  yet  each  moment  of  delay  made 
Lee's  condition  more  hopeless. 

Grant  had  despatched  a  letter  to  Lee  on  the  7th,  from  Farm- 
ville,  asking  the  surrender  of  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia. 

Lee  replied  the  same  day,  asking  for  terms. 

On  the  8th  Grant  sent  a  second  letter,  insisting  upon  one 
condition  only :  "  That  the  men  and  officers  shall  be  disqualified 
for  taking  up  arms  against  the  United  States  until  properly 
exchanged." 


*  Rebel  Courier's  Experience 


1865.]  SURRENDER    OF   LEE.  561 

•'  I  do  not  think  the  emergency  has  arisen  to  call  for  tlio 
surrender  of  this  army,"  Lee  answered ;  but  at  the  same  time 
asked  for  an  interview  at  ten  o'clock  next  morning.  Sheri- 
dan had  not  closed  all  the  roads  to  Lynchburg,  but  was  in  such 
a  position  that  it  was  impossible  for  Lee  to  get  away  with  his 
army.  Breckenridge,  with  a  large  number  of  officers  and  many 
thousands  of  privates,  struck  northwest,  through  by-roads  and 
fields,  crossed  James  River,  reached  Lynchburg  and  passed 
into  North  Carolina. 

The  Second  Corps  was  in  position  on  Sunday  morning,  wai^ 
ing  the  order  to  advance,  when  a  flag  of  truce  was  displayed 
in  front  of  Miles's  division.  Captain  J.  D.  Cook,  of  General 
Miles's  staff,  was  sent  to  receive  it.  He  was  met  by  Colonel 
Taylor,  of  Lee's  staff,  who  brought  a  note  from  Lee,  wishing 
fbr  a  suspension  of  hostilities  to  take  into  consideration  the 
terms  offered  by  General  Grant  on  Saturday.  General  Meade 
signified  by  note  that  he  had  no  authority  to  enter  into  an 
armistice,  but  would  wait  two  hours  before  making  an  attack, 
and  would  communicate  with  General  Grant. 

Before  the  expiration  of  the  time  General  Grant  arrived,  and 
a  correspondence  with  Lee  followed,  which  resulted  in  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  place  of  meeting  for  a  more  full  consideration 
of  the  terms  proposed  by  General  Grant. 

In  the  little  village  of  Appomattox  Court-House  there  is  a 
large,  square  brick  house,  with  a  portico  !u  front,  the  residence 
of  Wilmer  McLean.  Roses  were  budding  in  the  garden  on  that 
Sabbath  morning,  violets  and  daffodils  were  already  in  bloom, 
and  the  trees  which  shaded  the  dwelling  were  green  with  the 
verdure  of  spring.  General  Lee  designated  it  as  the  place  for 
meeting  General  Grant.  It  was  a  little  past  two  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  when  General  Lee,  accompanied  by  General  Mar- 
shall, his  chief  of  staff,  entered  the  house.  A  few  minutes  later 
General  Grant  arrived,  accompanied  only  by  Colonel  Parker, 
of  his  staff,  chief  of  the  Six  Nations. 

The  meeting  was  in  the  parlor,  —  a  square  room,  carpeted, 
furnished  with  a  sofa  and  centre-table.  Lee,  dressed  m  a  suit 
of  gray,  was  sitting  by  the  table  when  Grant  entered.  Time 
had  silvered  his  hair  and  beard.  He  wore  an  elegant  sword, 
a  gift  from  his  friends. 


552  THE   BOYS   OF   '61.  [April, 

General  Grant  had  left  his  sword  behind,  and  appeared  in 
the  same  suit  he  had  worn  in  the  field  through  the  eventful 
days,  —  a  plain  blue  frock,  with  double  row  of  buttons,  and 
shoulder-straps  bearing  the  three  silver  stars,  the  insignia  of  his 
rank  as  Lieutenant-General. 

The  meeting  was  cordial.  After  salutations  the  two  com 
manders  sat  down,  placed  their  hats  on  the  table,  and  conversed 
as  freely  as  in  other  days  when  both  were  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States.  General  Lee  alluded  to  the  correspondence^ 
which  had  passed  between  them. 

''  General,  I  have  requested  this  interview,  to  know  more  full} 
the  terms  which  you  propose,"  said  General  Lee. 

General  Grant  replied  that  he  would  grant  a  parole  to  offi- 
cers and  men,  and  that  the  officers  might  retain  their  side-arms 
and  their  personal  effects.  General  Lee  assented  to  the  propo- 
sition, and  did  not  ask  for  any  modification  of  the  terms,  which 
were  then  engrossed.  The  paper  was  signed  by  General  Lee 
at  half  past  three  o'clock. 

After  he  had  affixed  his  signature,  General  Lee  asked  for 
General  Grant's  understanding  of  the  term  "  personal  effects  " 
which  had  been  used  in  the  instrument. 

"  Many  of  my  cavalrymen  own  their  horses,"  he  said. 

"  I  think  that  the  horses  must  be  turned  over  to  the  United 
States,"  was  the  reply. 

"  I  coincide  in  that  opinion,"  was  Lee's  rejoinder. 

"  But,"  said  General  Grant,  "  I  will  instruct  the  officers  who 
are  appointed  to  carry  out  the  capitulation  to  allow  those  who 
own  horses  to  take  them  home.  They  will  need  them  tu  do 
their  spring  ploughing  and  to  till  their  farms." 

"  Allow  me  to  express  my  thanks  for  such  consideration  and 
generosity  on  your  part.  It  cannot  fail  of  having  a  good 
effect,"  General  Lee  replied  with  emotion. 

After  further  conversation  General  Lee  expressed  a  hope 
that  each  soldier  of  his  army  might  be  furnished  with  a  cer- 
tificate, or  some  other  evidence  of  parole,  to  prevent  them  from 
being  forced  into  further  service  by  Confederate  conscripting 
officers. 

"  I  will  order  such  certificates  to  be  issued  to  every  man," 
said  General  Grant;  and  as  soon  as  the  preliminaries  were 


u^ 


'^^^ 


mm 


MLKkM 


65.]  SURRENDER   OF   LEK  55H 

settled,   the    head-quarters   printing-press   was    put    to   work 
striking  off  blanks  for  that  purpose. 

"  My  army  is  short  of  rations,"  said  Lee. 

"  You  shall  be  supplied,"  and  an  order  was  at  once  issued 
to  the  commissary  to  furnish  rations  to  the  prisoners. 

The  question  of  terms  had  been  discussed  the  evenmg  pre- 
vious around  Grant's  camp-fire.  Grant  stated  that  he  wanted 
such  a  surrender  as  would  break  down  the  positions  which 
France  and  England  had  taken  in  recognizing  the  Rebels  as  bel- 
ligerents. He  did  not  wish  for  humiliating  terms.  He  would 
not  require  a  formal  grounding  of  arms.  The  Rebels  were 
Americans,  and  his  object  was  to  restore  them  to  the  Union 
and  not  to  degrade  them. 

Lee  returned  to  his  army  and  stated  the  terms  of  capitula- 
tion, which  were  received  with  great  satisfaction,  especially  by 
those  who  owned  horses.  They  cheered  loudly,  and  no  doubt 
heartily.  The  terms  were  such  as  they  had  not  expected.  The 
newspapers  of  the  South  had  persistently  represented  the  men 
of  the  North  as  bloodthirsty  and  vindictive,  —  as  vandals,  rob- 
bers, and  murderers,  —  capable  of  doin^  the  work  of  fiends, 
and  the  remarkable  leniency  of  Grant  surprised  them. 

The  terms  were  not  altogether  acceptable  to  Grant's  army. 
Many  of  the  officers  remembered  that  General  Pickett  never 
had  resigned  his  commission  in  the  United  States  service,  but 
that  he  had  taken  up  arms  against  the  country  without  any  scru 
pies  of  conscience.  He  was  a  deserter  and  a  traitor,  found  in 
arms.  The  soldiers  remembered  that  scores  of  their  comrades 
had  been  shot  or  hung  for  deserting  the  ranks  ;  the  utmost  leni- 
ency of  the  government  was  a  long  term  of  imprisonment  in  a 
penitentiary  or  confinement  on  the  Dry  Tortugas.  Sentinels  had 
been  shot  for  falling  asleep  while  on  duty  ;  yet  General  Pickett 
and  his  fellow-traitors  were,  by  the  terms  of  the  parole,  granted 
ail  indulgence  which  was  equivalent  to  a  pardon.  It  was  Gen- 
eral Pickett  who  hung  the  Union  men  of  North  Carolina  who 
had  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the  Union,  but  who,  under  the 
fortunes  of  war,  had  fallen  into  his  hands.  In  General  Pick- 
ett's estimation  they  had  committed  an  unpardonable  crime. 
He  considered  them  as  citizens  of  the  Confederacy,  and  hung 
them   upon   the   nearest   tree.     It  was  cold-blooded  murder. 


654  THE  BOYS   OF  '61.  [April, 

But  his  desertion,  treason,  inluiinanity,  and  murders  were  off- 
set by  the  plea  that  the  North  could  afford  to  be  magnanimous 
to  a  conquered  foe !  The  soldiers  idolized  Grant  as  a  command- 
er. They  had  no  objection  to  his  terms  with  the  privates  of 
Lee's  army,  but  there  was  dissent  from  including  Pickett  and 
Ewell,  and  other  Rebel  officers  who  had  been  notoriously  inhu- 
man to  Union  soldiers.  The  Rebel  soldiers  were  generally 
humane  towards  prisoners,  especially  after  the  first  year  of  the 
war.  Many  instances  might  be  cited  of  their  kindness  to  the 
wounded  on  the  battle-field  and  to  prisoners  in  their  hands. 
The  officers  in  the  field  were  also  kind,  but  the  political  lead- 
ers, the  women,  and  officers  in  charge  of  prisons  were  cruel 
and  vindictive. 

The  hour  came  for  Lee  to  part  with  his  officers.  He  re- 
tained his  calmness  and  composure,  but  they  could  not  refrain 
from  shedding  tears.  It  was  to  be  their  last  meeting.  He  was 
to  lead  them  no  more  in  battle. 

The  occasion  brought  before  them  an  acute  sense  that  all 
was  over,  —  all  lost ;  their  sacrifices,  sufferings,  heroism,  had 
been  in  vain  ;  their  pride  was  humbled ;  instead  of  being  victors, 
tliey  were  vanquished ;  history  and  the  impartial  verdict  of 
mankind  perhaps  would  hold  them  responsible  for  the  blood 
which  had  been  shed.  It  was  a  sad  hour  to  that  body  of  men 
in  gray,  wearing  the  stars  of  a  perished  Confederacy. 

The  intelligence  of  the  capitulation  was  communicated  to 
Grant's  army  by  bulletin.  As  the  news  flew  along  the  lines  on 
that  Sabbath  morning,  the  cheering  was  prolonged  and  vocifer 
ous.  For  the  first  time  in  four  years  the  veterans  who  had 
toiled  in  the  mud  of  the  Peninsula,  who  had  been  beaten  back 
from  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  who  had  stood  like 
a  wall  of  adamant  on  the  banks  of  the  Antietam,  and  the 
heights  of  Gettysburg,  who  had  pressed  Lee  from  the  Wilder- 
ness to  Five  Forks,  who  had  brought  him  to  bay  at  last,  were 
to  have  a  peaceful  night. 

Their  fighting  was  over,  and  there  was  to  be  no  more  charg- 
ing of  batteries ;  nor  long  watchings  in  the  trenches,  drenched 
by  rains,  parched  by  summer  heat,  or  numbed  by  the  frosts  of 
winter ;  no  more  scenes  of  blood,  of  wasting  away  in  hospitals, 
or  murders  and  starvation  in  Rebel  prisons.     It  was  the  hour 


|.%5.] 


SURRENDER  OF  LEE. 


F,^f* 


of  peace.  In  the  radiant  liglit  of  that  Sahhatli  san  they  couhl 
rejoice  in  the  thought  that  they  liad  once  more  a  reunited 
country ;  that  an  abject  people  had  been  redeemed  from 
slavery ;  that  the  honor  of  the  nation  had  been  vindicated  ; 
that  the  flag  which  traitors  had  trailed  in  the  dust  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  conflict  was  more  tlian  ever  the  emblem  of  the 
world's  best  hopes. 


OOb  THE    BOYS    OF   '61.  [-^^prii, 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

CONCLUSION. 

Day  was  breaking  on  the  12th  of  April,  when  General  Grants 
accompanied  by  his  staff,  alighted  from  the  cars  at  City  Point, 
after  a  tedious  night  ride  from  Burkesville.  He  walked  slowly 
up  the  steep  bank  to  his  head-quarters,  not  with  the  air  of  a 
conqueror,  but  as  if  sleep  and  rest  would  be  far  more  accept- 
able than  the  congratulations  of  a  noisy  crowd.  Four  years  hkd 
passed  since  he  left  his  quiet  home  in  Illinois,  a  humble  citizen, 
unknown  beyond  his  village  borders  ;  but  now  his  name  was  in- 
separably connected  with  a  great  moral  convulsion,  world-wide 
in  its  influence,  enduring  as  time  in  its  results.  The  mighty 
conflict  of  ideas  had  swept  round  the  globe  like  a  tidal  wave  of 
the  ocean.  Industry  had  been  quickened  in  every  land,  and 
new  channels  of  trade  opened  among  the  nations.  Wherever 
human  language  was  spoken,  men  talked  of  the  war  between 
Slavery  and  Freedom,  and  aspirations  for  good  were  awakened 
in  the  hearts  of  toiling  millions  in  Europe,  on  the  burning 
sands  of  Africa,  and  in  the  jungles  of  Hindostan,  to  whom  life 
was  bare  existence  and  the  future  ever  hopeless. 

The  four  years  of  fighting  were  over  ;  the  Rebellion  was  sub- 
dued. On  the  first  of  April  Lee  had  a  large  army,  but  sud- 
aenly  he  had  been  overwhelmed.  That  which  seemed  so  formi- 
dable had  disappeared  like  a  bubble  in  the  sunshine.  Though 
the  Rebels  saw  that  the  Confederacy  was  threatened  as  it  had 
not  been  at  any  other  period  of  the  war,  there  were  few,  if 
any,  who,  up  to  the  latest  hour,  dreamed  that  there  could  be 
such  an  overturning  of  affairs.  That  Lee  had  held  his  ground 
so  long  was  a  warranty  that  he  could  successfully  resist  all 
Grant's  efforts  to  take  Richmond.  The  Confederate  Congress 
met  daily  in  the  capital,  passed  resolutions,  enacted  laws,  and 
debated  questions  of  state,  as  if  the  Confederacy  had  a  place 
among  the  nations,  with  centuries  of  prosperity  and  glory  in 


1865.]  CONCLUSION.  557 

prospect.  But  their  performance  came  to  an  unexpected  end. 
The  last  act  of  the  tragedy  was  given  on  the  14th,  —  the  assas- 
sination of  the  President. 

What  drama  surpasses  it  in  interest  ?  What  period  of  the 
world's  history  is  more  replete  with  great  events  affecting  the 
welfare  of  the  human  race  ?  In  1861,  when  the  curtain  rose, 
tlio  world  beheld  a  nation,  peaceful,  happy,  prosperous.  Then 
came  the  spectacle,  —  the  procession  of  seceding  States,  with 
bugles  sounding,  colors  flying,  the  bombardment  of  Sumter ; 
the  uprising  of  the  people  of  the  North,  the  drum-beat  heard 
in  every  village,  flags  floating  from  all  the  steeples,  streamers 
and  banners  from  all  the  house-tops,  great  battles,  defeat,  and 
victory ;  a  ploughman  and  splitter  of  rails  the  liberator  of  the 
enslaved,  their  enlistment  as  soldiers  of  the  Republic ;  the  pa- 
triotism of  the  people ;  woman's  work  of  love  and  mercy ;  the 
ghastly  scenes  in  Southern  prisons,  the  conflagration  of  cities 
set  on  fire  by  the  Rebels,  tlie  breaking  up  of  the  Confed- 
eracy, the  assassination,  the  capture  of  the  Rebel  chief,  the 
return  of  the  victorious  armies,  the  last  grand  military  pageant 
at  Washington,  and  then  the  retirement  of  the  soldiers  to 
peaceful  life  !     Sublime  the  picture ! 

The  conflict  commenced  as  a  rebellion,  but  ended  in  revo- 
lution. Slavery  has  disappeared.  Civil  liberty  is  stronger 
than  in  1861.  Four  millions  of  freedmen  are  candidates  for 
citizenship,  who  at  the  beginning  of  the  Rebellion  had  no 
rights  under  tlie  flag  of  the  Union. 

"  Slaves  rise  up  men ;  the  olive  waves, 
With  roots  deep  set  in  battle  graves." 

The  Rebellion  was  an  attempt  to  suppress  Truth  and  Justice 
by  tyranny.  The  efibrt  might  have  been  successful  m  earlier 
ages,  but  not  in  the  nineteenth  century,  and  never  will  the  at- 
tempt be  repeated  on  American  soil,  for  the  tendency  of  mind 
is  towards  a  clearer  perception  of  the  rights  of  man.  America 
uttered  her  protest  against  despotic  power  in  1776.  "  It  was  an 
experiment,"  said  the  aristocracies  of  Europe.  The  "  republi- 
can bubble  has  burst,"  said  Earl  Russell  in  1861 ;  but  the  Re- 
public lives,  and  the  false  and  ignoble  distinctions  in  the 
society  of  the  Old  World,  which  slavery  attempted  to  establish 
in  the  New,  have  been  reversed.     America  teaclies  tliis  truth  to 


• 


658  THE   BOYS    OF    '61  [April. 

the  wondering  nations,  —  that  the  strongest  government  rests, 
not  on  the  few,  not  on  property,  never  on  injustice,  but  on  tlie 
people,  on  difiiised  wealth  and  enlightened  mind,  on  obligation 
to  man  and  God. 

Kings  will  yet  lay  aside  their  sceptres,  and  subjects  will  be- 
come sovereigns,  because  the  people  of  America,  by  example, 
have  shown  the  world  that  civil  and  religious  liberty  for  all,  as 
well  as  for  the  few,  is  of  more  value  than  human  life. 

How  lavish  the  expenditure  of  blood!  How  generous  the 
outpouring  of  the  wine  of  life  by  the  heroic  dead ! 

"  Song  of  peace,  nor  battle's  roar, 
Ne'er  shall  break  their  slumbers  more ; 
Death  shall  keep  his  solemn  trust, 
*  Earth  to  earth,  and  dust  to  dust.*  ** 

Dead,  yet  living.  Their  patriotism,  sacrifice,  endurance ,  pa- 
tience, faith,  and  hope  can  never  die.  Loved  and  lamented, 
but  immortal.  Paeans  for  the  living,  dirges  for  the  dead. 
Their  work  is  done,  not  for  an  hour,  a  day,  a  year,  but  for  all 
time  ;  not  for  fame  or  ambition,  but  for  the  poor,  the  degraded, 
the  oppressed  of  all  lands,  for  civilization  and  Christianity,  for 
the  welfare  of  the  human  race  through  Time  and  Eternity ! 


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